praying effectively: Do Not Defiantly Test God (Deut.6)

(Deuteronomy 6:12-17)  “then watch yourself, that you do not forget the Lord who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 13 You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him and swear by His name. 14 You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you, 15 for the Lord your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; otherwise the anger of the Lord your God will be kindled against you, and He will wipe you off the face of the earth. 16 You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah. 17 You should diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and His testimonies and His statutes which He has commanded you."

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will:
- that we remember what the Lord has done for us in the past (6:12)
- that we fear the Lord our God only (6:13, 14)
- that we worship the Lord our God only (6:13)
- that we obey the Lord our God (6:16)
- that we only make vows in God's name (6:13)
- that we should not put the Lord our God to defiant testing (6:15)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, help us to live in obedience because we love and fear You only.  This should not be difficult to do, considering all that You have done for us in the past, and all that You will do for us now and in the future. 

May we be careful making vows and promises, but when we do make them, help us to only make them using Your name.  May we be careful not to put You to the test with an attitude of defiance.  You deserve our utmost respect.  Amen.