"The strongest objection exists to the constant repetition of the word "Lord," which occurs in the early prayers of young converts, and even among students. The words, "O Lord! O Lord! O Lord!" grieve us when we hear tham so perpetually repeated. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain," is a great commandment, and although the law may be broken unwittingly, yet its breach is still a sin and a very solemn one. God's name is not to be a stop-gap to make up for our want of words. Take care to use most reverently the name of the infinite Jehovah."
-CH Spurgeon in Lectures to My Students
1. How can we help people who do this in their prayers?
2. Did you or do you find yourself using God's name as a "stop-gap"?
3. Is this an important enough issue that we should bring it up to young converts?
7 comments:
I've been very distracted sometimes when I'm with people who are praying this way (most likely a testimony to my weaknesses).
I think Spurgeon has a good point. The name is not used for any reason, except to be a "filler."
I think it probably should be addressed with young converts, but it must, of course, be done lovingly, tactfully. It would be a shame if someone shied away from praying in public b/c of something like this.
It took me a while to break this type of habit. No one really personally approached me about it... I think I just heard someone talk about it in a Bible study or sermon and from then on I worked to make my words in prayers actually mean something.
I still struggle with little "catch-phrases" and "church-speak" and such... I'm working on being myself and saying what I mean in prayer.
Justin,
I get that this is the case the great majority of the time. However, I think the possibility is real that the word is used repeatedly by the person as a reminder to himself and testimony to others that transformation has taken place and is taking place on the throne of the life.
In most cases this might warrant quiet instruction, in a few, rejoicing.
I agree about the filler thing, it shouldn't be just your mouth rambling. I must agree sometimes that we can get a little legalistic with this though.. the people we are talking about are praying. But saying "God" or "Lord" in a prayer and saying it's using his name in vain is just the dumbest thing I've ever heard, that is why Jesus yelled at the legalistic people of this time, throwing more bonds on people than they can bare.. I like Spurgeon, but I don't think he was being a critic of young converts when he said this.
Anonymous,
I don't think this is the dumbest thing I have ever heard, and if it is the dumbest thing you've ever heard, you might shuold get out more. I think there is value in considering this, as idle words are dangerous. Perhaps Spurgeon was not talking about young converts, or perhaps he overlooked some possibilities. He was a great man of God, but not perfect,as I am sure Justin would attest. Perhaps Spurgeon is spot on and my thoughts are off. Knowing who he was and who I am, that is probably the best reasoning.
How do you know if the person is just addressing the Lord- or if they are using it as a filler? Would that be an issue of their hearts?
another question-
Do you think that we tend to "jump" on the encouraging others bandwagon instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit to do the work? Would this be one of those issues? I was just thinking about this because no one ever told me not to use the Lord's name as a filler- the Lord convicted me of it on my own. And I know that my heart tends to want to quickly "fix" someones thinking or actions instead of faithfully praying for someone's growth and then waiting on the Lord....just something to think about.
-Sarah
Okay- I didnt mean "on my own" the way I wrote it in that last post....I just meant that the Lord convicted me of it without anyone telling me that it was a misuse of His name. LOL!
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