Archive Poster : July 2015
If you'd like to insult a Christian then, 'God botherer' may well be the most withering putdown available. The clever person who thought up the term somehow managed to pack in an incredible amount of implication.
First off - apparently God doesn't care. There he is up in heaven wincing and grimacing as yet another moaning Christian sends off another blathering prayer. 24/7 - unceasing, selfish, senseless requests. 'Why, oh why did I ever mention the idea that they could pray to me?' 'Can't they just get on with their lives and leave me alone?'
The second implication is that these silly Christians are a little more excited about Jesus and heaven than God ever intended. And frankly, all this excessive enthusiasm is rather embarrassing. You know... evangelism... running around telling people they need to repent. 'Frankly, it's just awkward'.
But perhaps the choicest barb to make a Christian flinch is the, oh so subtle implication that, well... God doesn't even actually exist. All over the world, silly Christians, bothering themselves and bothering others and bothering a non existent fantasy friend. Sad. Just really sad.
Intimidated? Feeling small? Confidence been chipped? Well the best remedy is to take another look at what Jesus actually said. And here's enough words from Jesus so you can make sure in your bones that God really did sign up for being bothered!
Jesus said,
"... I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Pretty clear really! So, if you're feeling desperate. If there's a situation you need help with, then pray! In another part of the Bible, one writer, named Paul, tells us,
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Prayer
Dear God, thank you we can bring all things to you in prayer'
Verse
Phil. 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
