Fake Prayer and Real Prayer

By Peter Lundell

Jesus would have had a great time with this one: a website offers to have a computer with text-to-speech capability say your prayers for you, so you don’t have to. They “voice each prayer at a volume and speed equivalent to a typical person praying. Each prayer is voiced individually, with the name of the subscriber displayed on screen.” You may choose from Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, or Unaffiliated prayers. For Muslim prayers they even face the speakers toward Mecca. Isn’t that thoughtful?

Don’t laugh; these guys are serious—about making money at least. I clicked on “Protestant” and found I could have a computer say the Lord’s Prayer for me each day for only $3.95 a month. Or I could choose prayers for peace, health, financial help, my children, or get a package deal. Catholics pay 7 cents for each Hail Mary. That adds up, you know.

“Show God you are Serious,” they say, and encourage customers to order one of the complete packages. This site has a whole shopping section with “Add to Cart” and PayPal links. They even have monthly specials.

If there’s one thing God wants from us when we pray, it’s genuineness. Of all the things we ever do spiritually, prayer is supposed to be the most personal connection we have to God. Our Father loves us and wants to spend time with us, hear our voices, and feel our hearts.

Prayer is not a software program for sale. It’s a passionate joining of ourselves with God. May your prayer connect you tightly with God, every day, and cost time not money. And may God ignite you with His Spirit.

PRAYER: Father, nothing can take the place of my time with You. Draw me close to You, personally, intimately. Hear my heart and help me hear Yours.

“How lovely is the place where you live, O Lord who rules over all! I desperately want to be in the courts of the Lord’s temple. My heart and my entire being shout for joy to the living God,” Psalm 84:1–2 NET.

Today’s devotion is by Peter Lundell, author of Prayer Power. A rising new voice on connecting with God, he is a pastor, Bible college teacher, and conference speaker. Visit him at www.PeterLundell.com for his inspirational “Connections” and free downloads of articles, parables, short stories, and book chapters.