Looking in Prayer

“…the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” —Matthew 15:27

My two rat terriers know when a meal is being prepared at the kitchen counter.  They come and sit at my feet and intently watch my every move as I’m making a sandwich.  They are looking and longing for a crumb to fall their way.  Sometimes I look down at them and I cannot resist the longing look in their eyes. So I give in and toss them a piece of lunchmeat or crust of bread.

Martin Luther once commented about a dog watching him eat in hopes of being rewarded with a morsel of food.  Luther observed, “Oh, if I could only pray the way this dog watches the meat!  All his thoughts are concentrated on the piece of meat. Otherwise he has no thought, wish, or hope.”

Do you pray that way? Is your mind fully focused on God answering your prayer? Does your heavenly Master look down see you as you fervently pray, looking up to Him for an answer?

O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and WILL LOOK UP. —Psalm 5:3