There is a trend that I have noticed in corporate prayer. An individual begins to pray and suddenly they are sharing a story within the prayer. Here is a sample to explain better what I mean.
Dear Lord, I just thank you for meeting me in the grocery store. I really needed milk. I only had one dollar and some change. When I came to the register I had the exact amount I needed to pay for that gallon of milk. You are truly my Provider.
I have been asking myself a question. Who is benefiting from this narration? People start narrating their prayers for one reason. That reason is to clarify the issue for the other people in the room. You don't need to retell the story to God. He already knows that He provided for you in that specific setting. I have noticed recently that I become irritated when intercessors start narrating stories. I know God does not find it offensive. I am sure He delights in the fact that others hear a testimony. But, if we are really praying to God and not to delight or entertain the people around us, why do we narrate our prayers? Does anyone else find this peculiar?
5 comments:
just so you know, i also find this peculiar.
that last comment was from me, forgot to sign out and in again
-katie
yes, i've been there when such things were happening and i also find it...well...not peculiar so much as obnoxious. i have my various cynical thoughts as to why people do such things but i will spare spreading my negativity to your blog. :)
I agree. I would be annoyed. I think depending on the level of knowing the person, maybe you can mention that prayer time is not testimony time...lol. I mean it's not like they can't just share that with any 1 person or the group, outside of the prayer.
I think I do that. I don't really pay attention much. If I do, it's probably more to remind myself and build up my own faith, so that if there is an issue like it that I want to pray about, I have more faith when I'm praying. It also may help to build other people's faith if you are praying in a corporate setting. It's also kind of like reciting the Bible when praying... "God... you told Joshua to do abnormal things in order to defeat the enemy at Jericho..." Or... "You did extraordinary things through Moses in order to glorify yourself to your people"... etc, etc.
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