19th.: Examine Ourselves
The prayer in Deut. 26: 13-15 (see yesterday) directs the people of Israel
to report in to God on how well they have been doing with regards to
A. Tithing
B. Giving to the poor
C. Worshipping God in a clean manner
D. Obeying God’s commands.
Likewise, it is good if we first examine ourselves, because,
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it,
because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s
work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he has built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned,
he shall suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.” (1st Cor. 3:13-15).
Think of this type of prayer something like a job performance evaluation,.
When we report in to the Lord we can ask the Lord,
'How well have we been doing?'
He can then suggest any corrections that need to be made
In this process, we can evaluate whether our plans, or our habits,
or our activities, or our words are having eternally lasting fruits.
One side note, At one point, Jesus gave a parable comparing the prayer of a Pharisee,
with the prayer of a tax collector. (Luke 18:9-14).
It was like the Pharisee was simply praying a variation of this prescribed prayer.
Jesus used this comparison to point out that the tax collector's prayer was more effective than the
Pharisee's prayer.
Even prayers prescribed by the Bible have their limitations. It does not mean, don't use prescribed prayers,
but realize that they have limitations.
“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me. Try my reins and my heart.” (Ps. 26:2)