I came across this picture this week when reading about the situation in Egypt.
I was taken aback when I first saw this photo. Quickly sorrow filled me. All the people pictured are bowing down and praying to a man who is dead and who cannot hear them...
Soon to follow was a feeling of guilt. I know these people pray out of obedience and I am sure it is vain, repetitious prayer (which the Bible tells us not to do - Matt 6:7) but nonetheless it caused me to evaluate my prayer life.
The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing and that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." It also tells us that "if we ask anything according to His will, he heareth us." How comforting is that? I serve and pray to a God that laid His life down for me, rose from the dead (unlike anyone else) and He actually hears me when I pray.
Allah does not hear those who pray to him. Nor does Muhammad. The same is true for Joseph Smith and for Mary, no matter how many times you hail her or cling to a bead.
But Jesus Christ is alive. He is sitting on the right hand of God the Father RIGHT NOW! He can hear us when we pray to Him. There is not much more on Earth that is more comforting a thought than that!
The last thing that I noticed about this photo is that it helps me envision Philippians 2:10-11 " That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father."
Until that day, we ought always to pray.
This really encouraged me... I think of the scripture- is there not a cause? There is absolutely a cause, those dear souls need the truth of God's word. He wants them all, He has purchased them with His precious blood. and they must know, we must tell them!
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