NEGLECT TO PRAY: FALSE SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT

A prayerful Christian is God's desire; prayer is a privilege of every Christian to communicate to God through Christ. 

Apostle Paul commanded the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" 1 Thess. 5:17

Yet this great privilege is taken for granted sometimes, having misguided sense of entitlements that God will take care always without asking Him in prayers.

Sense of Entitlements means one believes he deserves certain privileges.

I. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THE CITIZENS

Citizens "I have voted you; you have then the responsibility to provide all my needs." A system of patronage wherein citizens have sense of entitlement, thinking everything should be provided to meet their needs and wants without the sense of responsibility and sense of gratitude.

Citizens must obey the government, be subject to the governing authorities. "Let every soul be subject to governing authorities" Rom. 13:1; Paul also wrote to Timothy to "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

Praying for governing authorities will give one a peace of mind, knowing that God is still in control. 

Even wise man of old had said "Do not curse the king even in your thoughts and the rich in your bedroom.." Ecc. 10:20. 

 

Leader "I am official of the land, I must be respected. I am above the law". A leader who has sense of entitlement, thinking government position as his own property.

Leader must seek the welfare of the people, and has sense of accountability. 

I. HUSBAND AND WIFE

 

HUSBAND to his wife "I marry you, you should be my slave". 

Wife to get husband "You should provide all my needs and wants or else I leave you".

Sense of Entitlements of a husband toward his wife that every thing should be done by his wife because she is his wife. Then a sense of entitlement of wife that every thing should be provided by the husband even to the point of lending more and more money to spend for all the luxuries in life.

HUSBAND and WIFE no longer praying with each other thanking God for after all God will provide always.

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them." (Col. 3:18-19)

III. PARENTS AND CHILDREN

PARENTS "We are parents, we have the full authority to do things to our children even not teaching about the Lord"

 

Children "You have the full obligations to us, we don't need to be thankful".

 

Apostle Paul had written to the Ephesians saints about the true conduct of a family that is serving God; children to obey their parents in the Lord and fathers should provoke not their children to wrath. (See EPH. 6:1-4)

IV. CHRISTIANS TOWARD GOD

"God knows my needs, I don't need to pray"

Yes, our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask in prayer, but praying is a manifestation of full trust in Him. Let us not be misguided by sense of entitlement. (Matt. 6:28)

 

Even in applying for jobs, though one is qualified there should be "Application Letter" needed as manifestation of intent. Prayer is manifestation of intent by a Christian to Heavenly Father through Jesus.

V. CHRISTIANS TO EACH OTHER

"Other Christians should help me or else I quit as a Christian"

"I must have more financial support considering of my educational attainment or else I quit as a preacher"

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." Gal. 6:10

Not all the times our brethren have the opportunities, not all the times we will be extended of help not because they don't care but they have limited means.

Educational attainment is not the basis for financial support but faithfulness to the revealed word of God. Godliness is not about financial gain but richness in Christ Jesus.

False sense of entitlements that give false expectation when not provided then there is frustration, envy, jealousy and evil inventions of things. (MMT)

(Men Mark A. Tumandan)