The template for prayer

12 Feb

When I was younger and read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Men, I quite unconsciously adopted the prayer that the youngest boy in the house lisped every night:

“Dear God, please bless everybody, and help me to be good.”

In a few words, it summed up two important things: prayer for others, and prayer for ourselves.

I think my grown-up prayer is five words shorter:

“Dear God, please use me mightily.”

Use – because that is what we are, uniquely practical pots crafted by a potter’s hand.

Me – because I am heartbreakingly human, yet fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image.

Mightily – because it’s not because of me, but through me, that he accomplishes what we never imagined to be possible.

2 Responses to “The template for prayer”

  1. b. chiang February 15, 2011 at 5:40 am #

    Mmm. So that one day we may be called by Him as a good and faithful servant.

    p.s. 神的仆人哪!!! please tell me you get this reference…

    • s. ning February 20, 2011 at 11:57 am #

      HAHA yes I do. Macedonian call…

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