TO WHOM DO WE PRAY?

To Whom Do We Pray?
By Eddie Smith
 
The Bible is God's revelation of himself to us. In the study of Scripture there is what some call, "the law of first-mention." Simply stated, the first mention of a thing in Scripture carries special significance. God first refers to himself in Scripture in Genesis 1:1 where He said, "In the beginning God created...." The Hebrew word used here for created means "to create something out of nothing." God isn't into duplication. He is a creator. God's middle name isn't Xerox (copier). Creativity is central to both how God sees and solves our problems.
 
God sees himself and wants us to see Him as "Creator." He is the only true creator. Every other "creation" is merely a rearrangement of what God has already produced. Neither Satan nor man can truly create. The following story makes my point.
 
A group of scientists got together and decided that man had evolved to the point that he no longer needed God. They chose one of their brightest to take the message to God that they were done with Him.
 
The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've arrived at the point that we can create life in a test tube, clone animals, and do many miraculous things. We've decided that we no longer need you. So why don't you just move along and mind your own business?"
 
God listened patiently to the man. When he finished talking, God said, "Very well. What do you say we have a `man-making' contest?"
 
The scientist replied, "Sure, why not?"
 
God added, "And we'll do it just as I did with Adam in the Garden of Eden."
 
"No problem," the self-assured scientist replied as he bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.
 
God held out His hand and abruptly stopped him. "No sir," God said. "You get your own dirt."
 
Or as renowned scientist, the late Carl Sagan, said in Cosmos, "In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe." God did!
 
We should assume that when we make a request of God in prayer, He will answer us creatively. We can also expect His answer to be "exceeding, abundantly, above all we can ask or think." So, perhaps we should be careful not to instruct Him when we pray. More and more I find myself praying, "Okay Father. Surprise me!"