VAIN CALLING
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain…
O.M.G, Oh My God, has become a popular saying, used primarily by teenager in texts and other modes of communication. However, the term has gained great popularity and is being used by older populations. O.M.G is an acronym, for Oh My God, used to express happiness, joy, pain, surprise or even sexual pleasure. It is a common statement, accepted by most, as a humorous and harmless. But, reciting this expression is wrong.
The truth is, you are calling upon the name of God for no specific reason. Why would you call upon God to express your dislike about a lipstick color? Oh My God that lipstick color is awful.
The purpose of this post is not to go into detail about using God’s name in vain. The twist to this Directive is calling upon God or praying to Him and it appears you receive vain results. Vain means having no success, not producing the desired effect, having no real value. Let’s investigate some reasons why calling upon the name of God is in vain.
Do you call upon the name of God for direction, advice or guidance, but, you:
- Confer with friends and family, after the prayer, for their directions?
- Refuse God’s directions?
- Have a better idea or plan?
- Are unwilling to listen?
- Do not wait for the results?
- Don’t believe He hears you?
The prayer is in vain. Your relationship with God contains no value. Why would you go to God when you have another agenda? It is like going to a bank to make a withdrawal, knowing you don’t have any money in the bank. Why bother?
Listed below are other types of vain prayers to God. God will not hear you when you have a negative motive in your heart.
The prayer of penance-Penance is a devotion to show sorrow. Many people pray pleading and begging God to forgive them. Multiple tears are shed with overwhelming sorrow. Mourning and grieving, for what was committed. Declaring to do all sorts of things to obtain forgiveness. I am by no means oversimplifying asking for forgiveness. Forgiveness is a key element to have your prayers answered. However, if you go into deep mourning every time you pray pleading for forgiveness because of same act you committed. Beating yourself up means the devil is at work. He’s telling you that God does not hear you because He has turned his back on you. He insists that God will never forgive you and you are unworthy. He is whispering in your mind, condemnation, sorrow and grief. He is attempting to push you over the edge. To cause you to give up on yourself and turn from God. Don’t listen to him! God does not condemn, the devil does.
No forgiveness in your heart-Unforgivingness can be the deal breaker. It is simple. If you want to be forgiven, you must forgive. If unforgivingness is in your heart. Or, if someone has hurt, offended or disappointed you, and you cannot get over it. These emotions may be blocking your prayers.
The get ‘em God prayers-These are petitions with heated questions and vengeful demands after someone has offended you. Now, you want God to get them and pay them back. Depending on the offense, you may pray for fire and brimstone to rain upon your offender, because you are a child of God. Vengeance does belong to the Lord, however, God is long suffering. He gives time for all of His children to repent. Think about it this way, if you offend someone purposely or accidentally, do you want destruction to rain on you? God does not work with these types of demands.
Tantrum prayers- “I’m mad at God prayers” are expressed because you did not get what you wanted or thought you deserved. How do you react if your child throws a tantrum? Falling on the floor; wailing of the legs, demanding their requests, do you give in? Most parents do not. Why do you think God is going to answer this type of prayer? It may be a reason why you did not get what you requested. Ask God calmly.
Self-righteous prayer-The bragging prayer is from the so-called good person. You tell God about your goodness. I give my tithes weekly. I go to Church on Sunday. I am head of a youth group. I am not perfect, however, I am better than most. You list to God, all the good works completed and have compared them to others. You are bragging to God. God is not a respecter of person. This means God shows no favoritism or partiality, according to your good deeds. God does not bless you because you are good. He blesses you, because He is good.
Self-works prayer-Similar to the self-righteous prayer, you feel God owes you something. You will say, God, I will do this or I have done that, now bless or pay me. This type of request puts God as owing you something. God owes no man.
Selfish prayer-Give me one million dollars or let me win the lottery for 10 million dollars. God wants you to trust and believe in Him, not on a system of gambling, receiving something for nothing. Many people who do win the lottery without the wisdom of God, generally loses the fortune almost as quickly as receiving the money. If you are blessed with a large sum of money, give back to others, less fortunate. God blesses you, so you can become a blessing for others.
I am doing the best I can prayer– I am doing my best. Where are my blessings? Many people have said or prayed this prayer. The trouble is they are measuring their abilities or “their best” by their standards or against other people. God judges on a different level than man. Measure your best with God’s standards. Ask yourself, is your best, God’s best?
Woe is me prayer-The grievous prayers start with sorrow, tears and weeping. You tell God, how the world is against them. You ask God, why is the world punishing you. And, you finish with, if there is not a blessing or breakthrough soon, you cannot carry on. God is not moved by this prayer. God will never allow more to be placed upon you, than you can handle. If you study the Word, you would know, with man, things are impossible, but, with God, all things are possible.
Just this once prayer-God help me this one time and I will never do this again. Or, a person makes unreasonable promises. God help me this one time. I will go to church everyday no matter what. I will stop lying. I will donate half of my salary to charity, etc. Some people may complete the promises made. But, many people, after deliverance, return to their old ways. Don’t make promises to God, you are unable to keep.
Selfish motives prayers-This is a humble, but selfish bid. God grant me just enough for me and my family. Why would you limit God? He has an overabundant amount of blessings to give away. And, God wants to bless you so you can bless others and His people, not just you and yours.
The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29 King James Version (KJV)