This morning, I found myself talking to God about all the different areas of my life that I needed Him in: my relationships, my work, my finances, my character. Halfway through a sentence, I caught myself. I sounded like a brattish child, listing the various things that I needed Him to do. And not the good need, the dependent need. My attitude toward God is far too often one that says, ‘You serve me.’
We all do this, right? It comes naturally. It obviously isn’t the best way to pray.
Jesus told us, in Matthew 6:10, to pray “on Earth, as it is in Heaven.” So, when I pray that for my life, what am I asking here? What is Heaven like? If I want Heaven on Earth, what is it that I’m actually asking for?
The book of Revelation gives us just a taste of what Heaven will be like. Glorious and wonderful creatures cry out and their song is not about themselves. Continuous adoration, amazement, and worship are the only activity of the eternal day. Heaven centers on Jesus. There is a circle of attention and everything is transfixed by Him. He is Lord. He is King. Heaven knows this. Why don’t I?
The rest of the universe revolves around Him. The world was created through and for Him. Everything submits to His will. What arrogance makes me think that I should be the exception?
So, when I bring my life, my list to God, asking Him to enter into individual areas, whilst I’m technically not doing something wrong, there is a better way, a way that honors Jesus more.
Instead of pridefully focusing on myself, my prayer (and yours) should be that, today, everything we are and everything we do would be centered on Jesus.
Rather than throwing chunks of my life at Him, asking Him to give a quick blessing on each part, my time alone with Him should begin with recognition of Jesus. We were created to live with our hearts set rightly, facing towards the Throne, towards the Son of God who loves us and gave Himself for us.
And realizing that – praying for that, experiencing that – can make any day on this Earth heavenly.
Do you find yourself praying like Fin did? Share how you refocus on Jesus in the comments box below.