Measurement of Hypocrisy

Last night my son, Tim came home at midnight. This was a good thing because we had previously arranged for this time and he made good on it. He hasn’t had a car for almost a month and just this past week we have let him borrow the “man van”. Ladies, some of you must be praying. He has been more responsible but continues to need work on “respect” issues. Thank you.

So he comes in our bedroom and announces that he's home. Then he proceeds to jump on the bed in between us and lies on top of the covers and falls asleep, clothes – shoes, etc. I am lying there and rubbing his head. Falling asleep and waking up and rubbing his head. I used to do this often when he was a child before he would fall asleep or when I thought he needed to relax. As I was rubbing his head last night, I started to pray for this young man. He has so much he rebellion but I know Tim’s heart. He truly is a polite, giving person inside. He loves the underdog, and cares for people who hurt. He loves nature, art, and music. He loves to laugh and has a quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. He talks with adults well and is quite intelligent. As I was remembering all that makes up Tim, I was praying for him. I would fall asleep and pray…fall asleep and pray. It was a precious time. He woke up an hour later and went to his own bed.

Girlfriends, praying is such a life changing action. It is not only wonderful communication with our Lord, but it has rewards and provides such comfort. It also requires sacrifice and precious “time”. I was reading a devotional this morning from a book entitled, The Best of Jonathan Edwards. It was entitled Prayer as a Measurement of Hypocrisy. It was powerful. I want to share some of what he wrote below. And give you the questions given at the end of the devotional to ponder.

Jonathan Edwards:

Prayer as a Measurement of Hypocrisy

“Do you not know this of old, since man was placed on earth, that the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment.” Job 20:4-5

After awhile, hypocrites mostly stop the practice of prayer.

…hypocrites’ seeming goodness and piety is not of a lasting, preserving nature. It is so with respect to the practice of prayer in particular, and especially of secret prayer.

They can omit this duty, and its omission is not noticed by other people…

…a regard for their reputation does not oblige them still to practice prayer.

If others saw how they neglect it, it would exceedingly shock their view of them.

People of this character can come to neglect secret prayer by degrees without shocking their peace.

At length, hypocrites come to believe that a person may be a convert and yet greatly neglect prayer. In time, they can bring all things to suit well together-a hope of heaven, an indulgence of sloth, gratifying carnal appetites, and living in great measure a prayerless life.

By degrees, they find ways to guard and defend their consciences…

Reflection:
Are all Christians who neglect prayer hypocrites? Why or why not? How is your prayer life, particularly the amount of time you spend “secretly” with God?

Friends, I obviously didn’t give you the whole devotion, but it was enough to understand that Jonathan Edwards was very inspired by God to bring us truth and to cause us to learn and grow, even if it was through some brutal conviction. Jonathan Edwards didn’t “soften” the Word.

Today, it is my hope that you will enjoy some quality “secret” prayer. For some of us, we may have to take off the mask and enjoy the presence of God…alone, sincerely and without an audience. Tough stuff, girlfriends.

Love ya, acf