The American musician and singer Janis Joplin wrote a song called“Mercedes Benz” that may indicate more than she realized.
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends
So Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV?
Dialing for dollars is trying to find me
I wait for delivery each day until three
So oh Lord, won’t you buy me a color TV?
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town?
I’m counting on you, Lord, please don’t let me down
Prove that you love me and buy the next round
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a night on the town?
This may be the kind of prayer that some people have when they go to God. But our heavenly Father has different standards than that. Jesus explained some of them in his sermon on the mount.
Matthew 6:5,6:
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Don’t pray for show.
Matthew 6:7,8:
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Don’t talk so much but get to the point; and you don’t need to inform God what you need, He already knows everything.
Matthew 6:9,10:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Acknowledge God as the Creator and ruler over all. Then ask to be a part of His plan for blessing the earth this day.
Matthew 6:11,12:
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Thank Him for His gracious supply through Jesus Christ our Lord. That includes physical food, soul-fulfilling truth, and spiritual wholeness with the hope of eternal life. He has forgiven us in Christ and now we can forgive anyone else who wrongs us.
Matthew 6:13 :
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Finally, let’s get our Father’s help in withstanding the pressures and evil thoughts and wicked spiritual forces that we face each day. He is willing, able, and ready to help meet our every need through His Son’s love and grace.
One reply on “Prayer the Right Way”
Yes Gene,
Unfortunately Janis had a world of unbelief around her. And her prayers could only be based on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes , and the pride of life. Regrettably pride came to her in the form of a haughty spirit, with destruction attached.
But all of those things that she did get by her prayer, she couldn’t take with her when she died. I’m sure that all of those material things looked shiny and needful for her at the time. But don’t they always?
Had she chosen the way of light, she would have lived a prosperous and healthy life. But once the unforgivable sin is committed, there no going back.
So we can thank our God that when we had the opportunity to hear that knock at our door, we responded to it with believing, joy, and thanksgiving.
We were given the wonderful life of God through Jesus Christ. To be as He is in this world. A new spiritual man and woman singing a new song of victory. Our shiny things now are encompassed with light and no darkness at all. By becoming in union with the crucifixion and the resurrection in our souls we can see beyond the material world and see with open eyes our true calling in Christ Jesus, and keep the hope alive and real in our everyday lives until we meet Christ in the air. And be with Him for eternity. RE Lee