A “Crumby” Prayer Life

(Picture credits at end of past)

A “Crumby” Prayer Life

Matthew 15:21-28

Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. (Matthew 15:25-27 – NKJV)

Most people will be aware of how the word “crumby” is used in everyday language.

It is a slang word meaning “of not much worth.”  I have no idea how the word came into common usage; probably because crumbs are not greatly valued. We say, “My, that was a crumby performance,” or “that was a crumby deal.” Someone has a bright idea we don’t like, and we say, “What a crumby idea that is.”

Well, today I want to talk about a “crumby” life of prayer, and contrary to common usage, I am going to put a high value upon it. I am going to suggest that we all need to be brought, at one time or another, to a place where we engage in “crumby” prayer.

The Syrophoenician woman persisted in prayer despite initial denial. She was willing to be compared to a dog, and the answer to her prayer compared to crumbs. Think of her what you may, but she finally prevailed. By definition “crumby” prayer is prayer that will not be denied, regardless of discouragements along the way.

“Crumby” Prayer

(© Saturday 24^th January 2015 – by Christopher Shennan)

If you get right down to it, friend,

And pray from the depths of your soul,

For things you desperately long for;

For things that will make your heart whole:

Let go of pride, and if pretence

Is cast aside at your Lord’s feet;

You’ll find it’s like begging for crumbs –

The needs of your soul He will meet.

There are times this kind of praying

Will be just the kind that prevails;

Your heart will rejoice in mercy.

And the love He gives will not fail.

So if you are pleading for crumbs,

From the table your Lord has set,

You’ll find the master will give you,

Your place as the most honoured guest.

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Love of the Truth

Love of the Truth

…they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:10b – NASB)

            Acknowledging the Truth and loving the truth can be two different things.

            You can accept the truth that God wants you to remain married to your wife till death parts you – but you may not love the idea that you have to spend the rest of your life with her.

            You may acknowledge your political opponent has won the election, but hate that he has beaten you.

            God does not just want us to recognize His Truth; He wants to give us a love for the Truth.

            The Truth can only set us free if we embrace it; simply acknowledging it without loving it will rob it of its liberation power.

            Truth acknowledged but not embraced is like a seed stored on a shelf but not planted. It will never bloom in your life, or set you free.

Loving the Truth

(© Wednesday 21^st May 2014 – by Christopher Shennan)

 …they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

I did not love the truth I’d found,

Though I kept it in my treasure;

I loved so many other things,

For they gave me so much pleasure.

 

I kept the truth quite safe in store;

I was sure no one could steal it;

So many other things were there,

I was sure they’d never see it.

 

I had the truth; it gathered dust

On a shelf where things could hide it

It was sure to be overlooked

Where no one else could find it.

 

That is the way it was, dear friend,

Till God’s mercy made an offer:

To grant my heart a love for truth,

Such as only Christ could proffer.

 

He said if I would receive it,

And give it first place in my heart,

He’d give me treasure from Heaven,

And joy that would never depart.

 

So I cleared out all earthly treasures

To make place for those that will last;

Truly my Lord kept His promise –

And the riches I have gained are vast.

Excerpt from the Author’s book: Exploring Biblical Prayer (vol. 2) (not yet published).                                                                            Volume 1 available at: http://www.christophershennan.ca