At a small group meeting, the wife of a football coach prayed that her husband's team would win the game the next weekend, after they had had a string of losses.
One Sunday morning over breakfast, emeritus pastor's wife prayed, "And please remind the mothers to dress their children sensibly this morning. You know, it's getting cold now, as autumn approaches and some of those young mothers just don't know any better." It was all I could do to keep a straight face.
My initial inner reaction in the first case was, "How stupid! Is the Almighty your cosmic bellboy? Where is your value system anyway--the kingdom of God or the kingdom of your football team?"
On second thought, perhaps the prayers were legitimate. Isn't our Father delighted that we pour out our hearts to Him? Probably most of our prayers reflect sinful attitudes and an inadequate understanding of God. However, He commands us to pray in spite of that.
How about you pastoral sorts? Would you see fit to correct the faulty assumptions behind obviously-stupid prayers in your own families or in your parishioners?
One Sunday morning over breakfast, emeritus pastor's wife prayed, "And please remind the mothers to dress their children sensibly this morning. You know, it's getting cold now, as autumn approaches and some of those young mothers just don't know any better." It was all I could do to keep a straight face.
My initial inner reaction in the first case was, "How stupid! Is the Almighty your cosmic bellboy? Where is your value system anyway--the kingdom of God or the kingdom of your football team?"
On second thought, perhaps the prayers were legitimate. Isn't our Father delighted that we pour out our hearts to Him? Probably most of our prayers reflect sinful attitudes and an inadequate understanding of God. However, He commands us to pray in spite of that.
How about you pastoral sorts? Would you see fit to correct the faulty assumptions behind obviously-stupid prayers in your own families or in your parishioners?