Worst Prayer In The Bible
There are no doubt some great prayers in the Bible that serve as models and
examples of what prayer should be for us today. 1 Timothy 2 teaches us some
of the qualities that should be included in our prayers. The basics of praise,
supplication, petition, and thanksgiving are good examples.
In Isaiah 63 and 64 we have recorded a prayer that I believe to be the worst
kind of prayer. I do not believe that these words were uttered by anyone in
particular. The prophet was writing them as an indictment of the people. It
demonstrates the true attitude of the people in the day of Isaiah, and I believe
it is true today here in the United States. While there are many faithful Christians,
there are so many more who are not faithful at all. And we can make excuses
for atheists, and other religions, but the worst attitude and prayers come from
the people who claim to be of God.
In verse 7 the prophet tries to get the people to remember God and all His blessings
that would come from obedience. Yet God found it necessary to withhold blessings
for this people. It was because of sin and iniquity. In verse 11 the bad prayer
begins: The first thing they do is ask where the God who was supposed to bring
blessings has gone. He did great things in the past, but not lately, and they
wonder why? God tells them over and over that it is because of sin, but they
just ignore what God said to them. They forget that their ancestors were witness
to the plagues upon Egypt, and how God parted the water of the sea, and watched
as the sea closed upon their enemies and drowned them. Remember it was just
a few days, and they started complaining, and seeking divine intervention from
the idols they brought from Egypt.
What they were doing was questioning the existence of God. They were saying
that if God was really there, He should do something great so that they could
believe. In Luke 16, Lazarus told Abraham that if one were to return from the
dead, that his brothers could avoid the horrible torment. Abraham responded
that they have Moses and the prophets that they should hear. People today are
looking for some great thing from God so that they can have confidence to believe
in Him, and we have the instructions from God in the Bible. 2 Peter 1:3 tells
us that everything we need is recorded therein.
In v.17 the people as God the question of why God made them sin. What they were
doing was blaming God because they sinned. True penitence comes when one acknowledges
his own sin, and decides to stop that sin.
In chapter 64, while they acknowledge their sins in verse 5. God was angry when
we sinned, and we sinned a long time. They admitted that their righteousness
was not right, and all their deeds were as filthy rags, and because of they
their nation as withered like a leaf, and they are carried away by their sins.
In verse 9 the people as God to not punish them beyond measure. What they were
really saying is that they were going to continue in their sins, but they were
not really as bad as the worst, so they did not deserve the worst punishment.
The truth is that everyone who misses out on heaven will share the same punishment.
Even good people will suffer alongside the worst people if they do not cease
their sins. If they do not obey the gospel plan of salvation that is recorded
in the bible. So like I said, these same attitudes prevail among the people
of this nation. History does indeed repeat itself.
People must turn from their sins. They should not blame anyone but themselves,
and they must cease their sins. They must acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ,
and confess His name before others, and continually the rest of their lives.
They must be baptized for the remission of sins. Until they are baptized they
keep their sins, and God does not fellowship sin. All of this should be done
in faith. Faith that they are sinners and unworthy of God, and God will accept
them because of their faith and obedience.
Come join us at the Eastside Church of Christ in Ranger to worship God and begin
the faithful walk that God wants from everyone. We meet at the corner of Strawn
Rd and Young St on Sundays at 9:45am for class; 10:45am and 5:00pm for worship;
and on Wednesday at 7:00pm for bible study. Everyone is welcome.
By Carey Scott
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