Friday, May 18, 2018

JOHN Good Morning! I’m John Branning, Lead Pastor of Central United Methodist Church. James 4:3 diagnoses one of the most insidious problems which always undermines and often devastates our prayer lives. The problem we’re told is a kind of selfish praying that eventually reshapes our prayer lists, turning our communication with God into little more than a personal “wish list” aimed at a less painful and a more enjoyable existence. As James boldly warns, it is that kind of praying, which God will purposefully choose to ignore. Such requests are a reflection of a kind of immature Christianity which wrongly sees life’s goal as happiness and not holiness; amusement and not ministry. God loves to answer our prayers, but he takes no pleasure in selfishness and greed. So, guard your prayer list from being overrun by selfish desires. Be sure to ask him for those things which will bring God glory and will make your life more useful for his cause. I invite you to connect with us at Central this Sunday.