After 26 years of living south of the Mason-Dixon Line and 21 years in the great state of Texas, people still feel the need to point out that I am a Yankee. They claim I still have an accent.
Honestly, I can’t hear it. In fact, one of the things that I have adopted into my everyday speech is saying, “Sir” and “Ma’am” to just about everybody I meet. I love that Texans teach their children from an early age to say, “Yes, sir” and “No, ma’am.” Many people in our world today have lost their manners.
Manners are important.
How we speak to one another is important. It affects how people look at us and treat us. It’s a sign of respect.
I was reminded of my well-mannered Texas neighbors this last Sunday as we discussed prayer in our Bible Study at church. We were talking about when we don’t know what to say in our prayers.
That’s when a woman in the front row raised her hand.
“When you don’t know what to say in a prayer,” she said, “just remember your manners.”
She paused, as I gave her a curious look.
“Just remember your manners,” she repeated.
“Please, thank you, and I’m sorry.”
My mouth dropped.
What a wonderful way to remember what to include in our prayers!
Please. “God, please help me.” “God, please be with me.” “God, please heal my mom.”
Please is a reminder to ask God for whatever is in our heart, with the confidence that he is listening and will give us everything that is for our good. Sometimes we don’t get simply because we don’t ask.
Generally speaking, though, we usually remember to include requests and petitions in our prayers. In fact, the largest part of our prayers consists of us asking for things.
What we sometimes forget to say in our prayers is thank you. “Thank you, God, for helping me.”
“Thank you, God, for always being with me.”
“Thank you, God, for healing my mom.”
As Christians, however, we don’t just say thank you for prayers answered.
Look around at all the good things God gives you every day. Look at your family and friends, homes and possessions, your jobs and hobbies. Look at the air you breathe, the food you eat, and the country in which you live. Remember the heaven Jesus won for you.
You could thank God for something different every single day of your life and never run out of things for which to thank him. So, when you pray, remember your pleases and thank yous.
But also remember to say, “I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry, God, for what I said to my wife.” “I’m sorry, God, that lately I’ve neglected to go to church.” “I’m sorry, God, for drinking too much on Friday night.” “I’m sorry, God, for not being the dad I should be.”
The amazing confidence we have as Christians is that every time we tell God that we are sorry, he immediately tells us, “I forgive you because of Jesus.” In fact, that’s another thing to say “thank you” about. “Thank you, God, for forgiving me.”
So, talk to God every day in prayer. If you don’t know what to say, just remember your manners.
As Texans, that shouldn’t be too hard for you.
Pastor Andrew Schroer has been a pastor for over 25 years and is currently serving at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Edna, Texas. You can find his latest books, “364 Days of Thanksgiving” and “364 Days of Devotion,” on Amazon.com.
