Merle Allison Johnson's provocative book...
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Merle Allison Johnson's provocative book, Religious Roulette (and Other Dangerous Games Christians Play), is a book about prayer. Writing from the pastoral perspective, he suggests that a great many modern day prayers are actually thinly disguised attempts to bribe God.
As preparations for a revival were being finalized, a church member assured Reverend Johnson that God would send a revival if the congregation would "pay the price." The implication was that God was quite willing to dispense His Spirit, but was waiting to see what the church was willing to put up. To the mind of the church member, this translated into a twenty-four-hour prayer vigil! Johnson admired the man's sincerity, but questioned whether or not the Spirit could be manipulated by persons pairing off in twos declaring to God, "We will do this, if you will send a revival." Another question crossed the pastor's mind; if such a formula works once a year, why not use it every Saturday before the Lord's day?
The intent is not to condemn prayer vigils but to question motives. Sometimes our prayers contain bribes innocently uttered, but any prayer which implies, "I will do this if you will do that," is suspect.
As preparations for a revival were being finalized, a church member assured Reverend Johnson that God would send a revival if the congregation would "pay the price." The implication was that God was quite willing to dispense His Spirit, but was waiting to see what the church was willing to put up. To the mind of the church member, this translated into a twenty-four-hour prayer vigil! Johnson admired the man's sincerity, but questioned whether or not the Spirit could be manipulated by persons pairing off in twos declaring to God, "We will do this, if you will send a revival." Another question crossed the pastor's mind; if such a formula works once a year, why not use it every Saturday before the Lord's day?
The intent is not to condemn prayer vigils but to question motives. Sometimes our prayers contain bribes innocently uttered, but any prayer which implies, "I will do this if you will do that," is suspect.
