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Nothing In Between So Pray Naked
After preaching a couple of weeks ago, someone told me "Hey Todd, for a few minutes, I was thinking that you looked like you were really working out lately, but then you took off all of those layers". -Thanks I think?
Clothes are great, aren’t they? Not only do they make us decent to walk around in public, but I love that they can hide us from criticism. They can hide our love handles, give us seemingly bigger muscles or make us look a little taller (This is GREAT for us short folks). Covering up in the right clothes can work miracles sometimes for our "problem areas".
I was listening to an old c.d. of one of my favorite music groups, The 77′s. In it, they have a song entitled "Pray Naked". To make it better, the only lyrics to the song are "Pray Naked". It is a fabulous song, really. & with the drums pounding, you can’t help but think of King David dancing through the streets.
This begs me to ask if there is any time that I approach my prayers "fully clothed", acting as if I have to explain things to God from my perspective, or appearing as if I am different (more spiritual?) than I am. How many times have I tried to explain my actions and give reasons for myself (dare I say excuses) which, of course, will be followed by my plan of action and where I need God to work and in what manner? Covering up those problem areas again.
The Psalmist prayed to The Lord God that He would search him and know his thoughts.
Scripture tells us that The Lord knows the thoughts of man.
Prophets have prayed that The Lord would test their thoughts.
We can read that God knows when we rise and sit and that He perceives our thoughts from afar.
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus would be tested or questioned and he would know the thoughts of the people, even without them being forthright with their intentions.
Truth is, He knows. He knows my very thoughts… and condition of my heart… and my selfishness… and all of the things about me that I would try to hide from anyone else. Basically, what I am really like on the underside of my layers.
So, if God already knows (REALLY knows) what is underneath, why pray acting any differently? If I prayed wide open with nothing in between my real self and The Father, would my prayers change? Would I eventually change?
Have a great week CCC family. & Pray Naked.
Thanks for this thought on prayer today! The whole time I was reading it, all I could think about is how Job is such a perfect example of someone who knew how to pray naked. It’s freeing to know that God knows us so intimately and there are no false pretenses with Him. This really followed up and reinforced the truths I learned yesterday from the sermon!
Since it is blazing hot today and lots of layers of clothing just makes it worse, I think the weather will remind me to pray “naked” as well.
Brother Todd:
Thanks for the great word. You are so right. Since God knows, we have no reason to “cover” anything up from Him.
Thanks Todd.