Christian Reflection and Prayer

THE MAN WHO PLAYED GOD

"If anyone wants to be a follower of Mine, let
him renounce himself and take up his cross
and follow Me" (Mark 8:34).

Many years ago, a film called "The Man Who
Played God" was released. It featured the great
character actor, George Arliss, playing the part
of a prominent, rich musician. Because he was
losing his hearing, the musician became
embittered and cynical. Not only did he turn his
back on his friends, he turned his back on God.
He moved into a penthouse where he began to
learn the art of lip-reading. From his penthouse
window, overlooking a park, he would look through
a set of high-powered binoculars and try to read
people's lips. One day he concentrated on a young
man whose lips were moving in prayer. He
determined what it was the young man was praying
for and then dispatched his butler to deliver it to
him. On another occasion he read the lips of a
woman who was telling another about something
she needed and wanted desperately. Again, the
wealthy musician saw to it that the need was met.
And each time he performed one of these services,
the cynical musician would look heavenward and
laugh in God's face. He found it laughable that he
was playing God but didn't even believe in God. But
as time went by, and his eccentric method of meeting
people's needs continued, something strangely
wonderful began to happen. The man who played God,
found God. Through the game he was playing -- the
game of serving people's needs -- the very God he
didn't believe in became real to him, because God is
a God of service.

(Sunday Sermons on Line)

God prefers our interaction with each other
to our interaction with Him. Not that He
doesn’t love prayer and Bible study; it’s
just that He loves it more when we take
what we’ve learned and put it into action.
The goal of spirituality is not to live in
ecstasy; it’s to live in reality – and make
real life better. Feelings and inspiration
must be translated into our actions.

When we serve others, we serve God.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

I loved Malcom’s prayer at church the other day.
Only 7 years old, he stood in front of 100 other
kids and prayed: “Jesus, thank You that some
of us get to play football and go to church, and
for safety on the ride here, and for forgiveness
of our sins, and for eternal life. We love You,
Jesus. Please don’t ever forget how much we
love You!”

It brought tears to my eyes as he expressed
his heart to God. As adults, we may tend to try
to polish our prayers a little, thinking that it will
sound better to God’s ears or to those around
us who might hear us. But I think God must
delight in hearing just what’s on His child’s heart.

What is on your mind? Thanks or burdens?
Whatever it is, your loving God wants to hear
your heart.

So lift up your heart to the heavens;
There’s a loving and kind Father there
Who offers release and comfort and peace
In the silent communion of prayer. —Anon.

The highest form of prayer comes from the depths of a humble heart.

(Excerpt from Our Daily Bread)