The topic of prayer came up a lot lately, especially out loud prayer.

One time that comes to mind, a vehicle had broken down, and we were asked to pray for it. Half an hour later, we got out of the cars to pray about it as a group. When it still didn't work, someone suggested we lay hands on the vehicle in question. One person began screaming at God to "fix this vehicle!"

My question would be, why did we not think that God would hear us pray the first time, and resorted to screaming louder, and even making demands when he didn't answer right away?

If you haven't heard it already, I highly recommend listening to this little All Things Considered report on the state of modern worship. Very insightful.

I posted about it in my blog entry: Garbage Worship.

Thanks for this post. I agree.

One song I've had particular trouble understanding:

You are God in heaven,
And here am I on earth,
So I'll let my words be few -
Jesus I am so in love with you.

Besides my dislike for terminology such as "falling in love with Jesus", which I think is a feeble attempt to analogize the depth of love we should have for Him and which He has for us, I really can't quite see how line four follows from the first three.

I can't count how many times I've been in the same position: ready to leave during "worship" time at chapel. The song that best encapsulates my disdain remains "Here I am to worship". The bulk of the song isn't too bothersome (though not exactly what I'd call substantive either) but the bridge is where i get heated:

"I'll never know how much it cost,
To see my sin upon that cross"
(spout redundantly, blah blah blah...)

Did this person pick up God's word anytime recently? I thought the knowledge of Christ's ultimate suffering (in crucifixion and decent into hell) were the essence of having an objective faith. I think wanton emotional bantor like this really only serves to undermine the gospel we profess.

While I am in frequent opposition to crappy worship songs and was an unwilling and unhappy victim of the experience mentioned in the post, I must say that I think Rodgers is kind of missing the point... and thusly am forced to analyze worship song lyrics, something I am loath to do.

The point that the author appears to be trying to make is not that a Christian is not aware of Christ's suffering, but rather that we lack a real understanding of the depth and the breadth of that suffering. In short, the suffering and cost to Christ involved in willingly going to the crucifixion (we're not even touching the topic of descent into hell) is more than limited humans can hope to comprehend.

*Washes hands* See what you just made me do? *shudders*