The Vending Machine

Dear Lord hear my prayers, for I need some money for the tears that are flowing. If you care for me, please share with me. 

How many times have we prayed to God to fill some need that we have? Throughout all of the different denominations and religious sects that I have been exposed to, "prayer" is the number one connection to God. The extremes of prayer are very evident, from lowering one's head in silence to boisterous chanting mixed with uncontrollable laughing or crying. It can be quite the spectacle, and many times I have left congregations dazed and confused, without the use of pharmaceuticals, I must add.

As a kid, I was only exposed to prayer on Sunday prayer at my Mennonite grandparent's home. I learned that the Mennonite prayer time was to be private and in silence. The dinner-time prayer was always a bit comical, as all the non-conformist parents raised kids who were to figure out God on their own (which I was part of). "Wait for it", as we watched Grandpa out of one eye peeking through the slit of our eyelid, making sure we knew when to raise our head and say, AMEN. I have no idea if prayer time at dinner was ever explained, it certainly was not for a few of us non-conformist first cousins and myself. To me, prayer was pointless and ritualistic. I saw no purpose in the time of silence, as many times we were so famished by playing outside all day, we couldn't wait to take that first bite of Wareniki (cottage cheese dumplings) or Plumi Moos (fruit soup). My mouth is watering and my heart is full thinking about it.

As a young man, I was exposed to prayer again when I accepted an invitation to a Pentecostal church. This experience had me perplexed and extremely confused. My inner spirit was telling me that this was some kind of wacky bizarre cult, as people were moaning, crying, laughing, and wailing. It was so extreme, especially in light of the Mennonite heritage that my Grandparents were part of. As I started to church shop in my mid-twenties, both the Mennonite and Pentecostal church examples were off the table. I settled in a conservative yet progressive Megachurch in the inner city, as it had the best of both denominational worlds. However, prayer and tithing were still a contention in my mind. Questions like; What does God need with money? Does God require us to pray?

In Matthew 6: 8- 13 KJV we read this:
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

As many of you know, the above prayer is also known as the Lord's Prayer, and it is as simple as it gets. Preceding this passage of scripture is something that very few people discuss. Many people fail to see the words of Jesus before the infamous Lord's Prayer because it is uncomfortable. "Don't be like the religious leaders, who like to be seen, boasting about how much money they put in the tithing plate or praying long-winded musings to a God that few of them know". 

Over the years, something that has me equally perplexed is the manifestation of our heart's desire. In Christian circles, this became known as, "name it and claim it" or "prosperity gospel". This new age teaching found its way onto the pulpit through the Word of Faith movement, founded by E. W. Kenyon. Kenyon's new thought combined a mix of Orthodoxy and mysticism, which could be attributed to the metaphysical teachings of Phineas Quimby. Mind science and new thought were instrumental for any philanthropist ​or profiteer in the name of God. Faith that we are equal to God or that God loves us so much that we can do no wrong, is... well... Confusing.

​I usually do not know what I am going to blog about from week to week, however, this idea that God is a vending machine has been brewing for months. This vending machine idea comes from prayers lifted up to the world of the spiritual realm, the heavens, the angels, and God. Like the Lord's Prayer, we desire the "on earth as it is in heaven", which must include all the luxuries and riches the earth has to offer. Many people, including myself, see that God wants to give us the desires of our heart, it's scriptural we argue. "God hears my prayers", as we push all the right buttons of emotions and find all the right words to utter in front of our sisters and brothers. Yet, when the prayers don't come to fruition, we retract and say, "It's okay, God knows what is best for us" or "God's timing is not our timing". 

We want our reward now, and we don't even know what the reward is. We are told that our reward is in heaven, but what the heck is our reward in heaven or eternity with God?  

I'm sick. I'm hurt. I'm broken. I'm dirt. Does God the vending machine, the genie in a bottle, the tarot reader, or the mending queen have a place in the world of the spiritual unknown? The answers are written, like, "The kingdom of God is within". So within we need to make a move to connect, to secure, to link, or to mend our failing body, our lost soul, or our broken heart. Easier said than done, so we keep searching and asking the gurus, the pastors, and/or the prayer chains for help. Many of us keep missing the point, and it brings me back to the beginning of the madness, Oh Lord hear my prayers.

So...back to the Bible, for it is all I know. The answers come quickly, the answers are bold. 
"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures".  James 4:3
"But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart". 2 Timothy 2:20-22 King James Version

Then it dawned on me.
What are my motives for writing each week? The truth may be  acceptable to many, I want to sell books. But, is it more than this, is it exposing my heart? Am I bringing glory to the one who created us, and trying to expound upon the one who lives inside of us? What do we want to manifest, the Christ inside of us, or the Christ outside of us? Did I want to be a vessel to receive the praise and the glory for a job well done, massaging my ego? Or, did I want to bring a message to unite the people of different faiths, religions, creeds, and cultures? It was/is the aforementioned. But, it's hard, I confess. I don't want to do it alone.

So again I pray, this time it is different...
Thank you so much Lord for the things that you have given, the birds, the trees, the miracle of living. Thank you for the friends and neighbors, and enemies who owe favors. Thank you for moms and dads, and roofs over our heads. Thank you for the extra plates and extra beds, to be able to extend helping hands. Thank you for people who mock and gossip about my intentions, because of the love you have that should drive their repentance. Thank you, Lord, that there is so much to be thankful for. 

When we look around the world, what do we see? Do we see a starving child, or an opportunity to feed? Do we see corruption and corporate greed, or the gumption and opportunity to lead? Do we see all the pollution or the righteous solution? It's clear if you see, the man in the mirror is what you'll be.

I'm not worthy enough to be a vessel in the eyes of man, but I am getting closer every day with my prayers to God.
​
​William John

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