The Commands of Jesus: Pray and Keep Praying

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I recently stumbled upon an article by a guy named Charles Shahar.
Mr. Shahar has degree in clinical psychology from York University in Toronto and the article I read was

entitled, Social Vampirism: The Needy Personality - it is one of twelve articles in his Neurosis Handbook.

Yes, being excessively needy is considered by many to be a neurosis. And yes, if you know a truly needy person, you understand what Mr. Shahar meant when he used the term “social vampirism” - because an excessively needy person can suck the life right out of you.

The problem with needy people is well, they’re so darn needy – and therefore most folks are loath to be with them, and do all they can to avoid them.

Most folks - But not God.
God loves needy people. Really, He just adores them.

Listen to Jesus’ encouragement toward neediness in His Sermon on the Mount,

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matt 7:7-8

What is Jesus talking about here? I think you know.
He’s encouraging chronic, obsessive neediness. In other words…
He is describing someone with a healthy prayer life!

Oh yeah. To “pray” literally means to ask. And, according to Jesus…
             You don’t just ask once – you keep on asking.

Jesus is instructing us to live in a constant state of neediness and dependency on God – through prayer.

Because if we are not frequently, consistently praying - then we are, in effect, saying, “I don’t really need you God.” And, uh, we do not want to say that.

So embrace the neurosis. Constantly require God’s attention, affection, or affirmation.
Be desperate for any type of support God can give you. Pray and keep on praying.

And don’t worry about Heaven labeling you a Social Vampire.
You cannot suck the life out of God – He has already freely given us His life in the person of Jesus.

 

Share Your Cookies

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You’re playing in the backyard with five of your friends.
Mom steps out the back door and hands you a plate of twelve cookies. What do you do?
Keep seven for you and give one for each of your buddies?
Twelve for you and none for them?
You have some options. But what do you think mom expects when she handed you twelve cookies in a yard with six kids?

Perhaps mommy expects us to be familiar with the words of the Apostle Paul where, in talking to rich people, he writes about the importance of sharing with others.
“Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.” (1 Tim 6:18)

Whether we realize it or not, we’ve have been given a lot of cookies.
It’s very safe to say that, because you are viewing this video on a computer or smart-phone, you, my friend, are in the top 10% of the wealthiest people on the planet. No joke.

So what are you doing with the cookies you’ve been handed?
You’re not making excuses are you?

             “Well, their really not very good. No one else would want them.” Or…
             “I really don’t have that many.” Or…
             “Lot’s of people have way more cookies than I do”

Come on. Don’t be that guy.

One day soon we will all stand before the great Baker in the Sky and give an account for what we did with the goodies He gave us. So…be smart, be generous, share your cookies.