Prayer Journal
Friday, May 26, 2000
"Our whole life should be a life of prayer. We should walk in constant communion with God. There should be a constant upward looking of the soul to God. We should walk so habitually in His presence that even when we awake in the night it would be the most natural thing in the world for us to speak to Him in thanksgiving or in petition." R.A. Torrey
A much quoted proverb, not to be confused with the book of Proverbs in scripture, states, "Don't become so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good!" A person getting up from sleep in the middle of the night, tripping over something in the floor and never missing stride in prayer would definitely be "heavenly" minded.
In a similar light, isn't it amazing that we make "light" of those who are more intense in their spiritual zeal than we are? It's even more amazing that this proverb is hardly ever questioned as being less than sound advice. In I Thes 4:11,12 Paul wrote, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
On the surface, these verses seem to endorseme the old proverb - that is until we read further; "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire." vs16-19
Perhaps we need to rephrase that old proverb to properly align with scripture; "Don't become so earthly minded that you are of no spiritual good." I like that much better. It makes more sense. Isn't it just like the world to get it backward! Just Thinkin'.. WebServant
(1) How To Pray" by R.A. Torrey, Published by Moody Press, pp 96
(2) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.
