Sparse Prayer

“And then he prayed, “God, I’m asking for two things before I die; don’t refuse me— Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. If I’m too full, I might get independent, saying, ‘God? Who needs him?’ If I’m poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.””

Proverbs 30:7-9 MSG

http://bible.com/97/pro.30.7-9.msg

Keep me from lying and give me only enough to be satisfied.

It's a sparse request and I find it admirable and worthy of high esteem. So often my prayers are filled with excessive cares, selfish desire, and hope for personal glory. I see in this simple prayer a powerful conviction to live within the bounds of my actual life without longing for more or less than what God provides me.

Keep me from lying - to myself, to others. Keep me honest about who I am in God's eyes - more than a conqueror, worthy, loved, redeemed. Keep me honest in my portrayal of myself before others - flawed, becoming, loving, hopeful. Keep me from the presence of liars so that I don't become like them.

Give me enough to be satisfied, yet faithful. It's so easy to want too much! And to believe that we are capable of handling excess responsibly. So often it's not the case. So often we handle excess destructively. And lack, we run from lack. In lack we worry and fret and forget who God is. We forget all the times he provided, and that he will provide again!

Today as you live your actual life, be honest and satisfied. Follow Jesus into the shadows and allow him to illuminate the darkness. Trust him to keep you safe and whole!

Blessings to you, today and always! –M