Today, reply is on covetousness, lust, acceptable prayer, and showing respect to divinity. More correct than prayers that the character, personality, and challenges for ourselves, or other persons be changed are prayers that ongoing works of GOD be completed; that the benefit and value from GOD in disappointments, hardship or suffering be made bearable and understandable; and that GOD’s will be done. Building a relationship of full trust between the Creator and the created also demands self-exposure by the living, and their putting away of disguises, lies, and masks. Sinners are correct to offer themselves to GOD through heartfelt and honest communion, acknowledging duty, praise, rejoicing, sacrifice, and unselfish service. All things, anything, and everything are not acceptable to Deity. Where Israel requested a king to rule over them as practiced in other nations their prayer was called “sin” for it denied divine order and the sovereignty of GOD (see 1st Samuel 12: 8-25, King James Version, KJV). A writer at “Yahoo! Answers (UK & Ireland)” using the ID “?” (Level 1 with 86 points, a member since May 19, 2018) posted the following in the Religion and Spirituality forum:
Can we pray for anything we want?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. (Psalms 19: 12-14, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: What Divine Salvation Requires (05/15/2018); Duties of a Christian? (03/13/2018); Christian “Thoughts and Prayers” (03/01/2018); As An Anointed Body (10/04/2017); Divine Delay and Prayer? (03/22/2017); Intercession (12/27/2013); Jesus Is GOD’s Word (12/28/2013)
“?”, for Christian believers, starting up and keeping a correct relationship with GOD is the most important thing. Therefore, born-again believers approach prayer as conversation and exchange with GOD by displaying gratitude, humility, respect, and restraint more than by trying to expose every aspect of their desires, feelings, personhood, problems, and private thoughts. Foremost should be petitions and requests for godly responses, and the sacred supplies that come from GOD only, and not mankind. Included are comfort, holy boldness, discernment, forbearance, forgiveness, spiritual gifts, guidance, healing, instruction, mercy, miracles, salvation, understanding, and willpower. Those who habitually cuss, use foul language, and swear in their day-to-day relationships with others should seek to use speech that is circumspect, yet heartfelt; plain and simple, yet, thorough and true. The wrath of GOD is triggered against all who approach his majesty to dispute his sovereign will, and who show themselves to be over-familiar and presumptuous. Consider again the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) Proverbs 28: 9, King James Version (KJV): 9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
(2.) James 4: 1-3, KJV: 1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
(3.) Luke 12: 13-15, KJV: 13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
There is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Luke 12: 27-32, KJV: 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD 