I remember when his child was sick - very sick - and he began praying softly in "tongues". I understood his anxiety, his love for his child, his desire for the child to be well again. I hope you understand it, too.
In retrospect, however, I wonder at his lack of faith. He had called himself a Christian for decades. He had taught, he had led others, he had paid a price. "Why", I wonder, "did he lack faith in God and turn instead to magical thinking?"
Jesus of Nazareth was utterly clear: God loves you, God hears you, you do not need to badger God.. 'Vain repetition' is not only unnecessary, it implies that God does not hear you or love you.
But, you say, what if God doesn't dance to my tune? What if God doesn't heal my child? What if God has other plans?
Superstition and magical thinking responds: if I do something right, I can make god do what I want. I can coerce god. I can command god.
Maybe I coerce god by praying in tongues. Perhaps I command god by getting two or three others to "agree" with me in prayer. It could be that I make god do it my way by holding the correct doctrine.
I give up faith and take up superstition. I embrace magical thinking. Oh, and I avoid stepping on a crack. Wouldn't want to break my mother's back, now would I?
What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.
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