praying effectively: Remember Your Creator (Ecc.12)

(Ecclesiastes 12:1-14)  Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”; 2 before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; 3 in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim; 4 and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly. 5 Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street. 6 Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; 7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 8 “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!”

9 In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.

11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.

13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.

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 never forget about our Creator (12:1)

- that we fear God (12:13)

- that we keep God's commandments (12:13)

Today's prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for keeping it simple - so anyone can understand the good news - - - yet brilliant - because You are God, and everything about You is mind-blowing!  

I pray for those people who are "too wise for their own good."  Convict their hearts and open their eyes and their minds!  Help them to see the truth.  Help them to WANT to see the truth.  

Give me the wisdom and opportunity to share the gospel message.  Keep me from becoming argumentative.  Help me to remember that it is not my job to convict or change them - it is solely the job of the Holy Spirit.  You know all things, so help me trust in You for all things.  And let me peacefully rest and wait in Your patience.  Amen.