Irreverent Praying by George Matheson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 29, 1906

Irreverent Praying

By George Matheson

My brother, take heed to that for which thou prayest! There lies the difference between the pious and the impious mind. It is not thy praying that makes thee good—not even thy sincerity in prayer. It is not thy sense of want that makes thee good—not even though expressed in abjectness. It is not thy feeling of dependence that makes thee good—not even thy feeling of dependence on Christ. It is the thing for which thou prayest, the thing for which thou hungerest, the thing for which thou dependest. Every man cries for his grapes of Eshcol; the difference is not in the cry, but in the grapes.

It is possible for thee to ask from thy God three manner of things: Thou mayest ask thy neighbor's vineyard; that is bad. Thou mayest ask thine own riches; that is neither bad nor good; it is secular. Thou mayest ask to be made unselfish; that is holy. It is not thy prayer that thy Father prizes; it is the direction of thy prayer. Dost thou deem thy child a hero because he asks thee for a holiday?—Nay, though he sought it sorrowing and with tears. But if he asks thee to let him share his joy with a brother or sister, then thou art exceeding glad; then thou sayest, “Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee!” So with thy Father. He waits till thou criest for a crown—till thou prayest for his presence, longest for his light, sighest for his song, hungerest for his home, faintest for his footfall, callest for his company, tarriest for his tread, seekest for the sign of his coming. That will be thy Father's highest joy.—Rev. George Matheson.