The PRAYERwerks: Rich Fool...or Rich Toward God

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Rich Fool...or Rich Toward God

Lord Christ, Luke is wearin' me down. I'm inclined to dismiss your parable of the rich fool. (Luke 12:13-21) Now, I'm wondering: Am I that guy?

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. (v15)

The rich fool was successful, became obsessed with his wealth and turned to hoarding. I'm not that guy, right? Well...

I have ample resources, yet I always seem to want more. Retirement planning gnaws at me. Is this an update of the rich fool? Am I blinded to a consumer culture addiction?

I don't believe you oppose success or planning, but materialism subtly hardens the heart and pushes Kingdom priorities aside. I quickly forget the source of my blessings.

It's time to cultivate contentment, to build trust in your provision. Holy Spirit, intervene. Amen.

Artwork credit
Scripture Union, Learn Contentment

I admire people who can pray spontaneously, but there’s something to be said for word craft, especially when the words are offered to the Lord.

The PRAYERwerks is my attempt to assemble the components of prayer: Praise. Gratitude. Confession. Repentance. Intercession. Humility. Authenticity. The result: A connection with the presence and power of God.

(There’s a significant omission from the list above: silence before the Lord and listening for his voice. I can’t really assist with that on the Internet other than to remind you of its importance!)

I'm publishing my prayers on the web because we can’t get enough…offer enough…speak enough…internalize enough PRAYER. As St. Paul advised the Thessalonians “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.” This is my modest contribution to the cause.

Here’s a disclaimer: I may "sample" ideas and language from my daily Bible study - Encounter with God - from Scripture Union USA, and the other resources listed below on the sidebar. Some might consider it plagiarism. I prefer to think of it as improvisation, and I attempt to give the authors and expositors credit.

Thanks for visiting The PRAYERwerks.

G.W. Habel
Durham NC, USA

I only pray when I'm in trouble. But I'm in trouble all the time, so I always pray.

Isaac Bashevis Singer

Nobel Laureate

Prayer is eternity in the midst of mortality, life among death, hope amidst despair, true promise surrounded by lies. So let us pray unceasingly.

Henri Nouwen

One way to make sure that your heart is in tune with God is to pray often. The more you talk to God, the more he will talk to you.

Family Christian Press

Prayer names how God becomes present to us and how we participate in that presence by praying for others.

Stanley Hauerwas
Duke University
From Hannah’s Child