Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and have you ever heard of a prayer dog?
Well, let me explain what I mean by that. My friend, Marlys, who heads up a Christian disabilities group, recently visited an internationally renowned prayer center. Well, as they all were sitting in the prayer room, interceding and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, a staff member from the prayer center motioned to Marlys and asked her to step outside. “Ma’am,” he said, “we’re a little concerned about two blind members in your group. The two blind people went into the prayer room with their guide dogs. And we don’t think that’s proper. I’m concerned that having a dog in the room would grieve the Holy Spirit. Ma’am, how do you think the Lord feels about this?”
Marlys could hardly believe her ears. She didn’t know whether to laugh or to get angry. But what she told the staff person was, “You know, I think God is saying, ‘Hallelujah! I’m glad they’re here!” Still, the man persisted. He thought someone should remove the dogs and let the blind individuals remain in the room to pray. After about ten minutes of going back and forth, the staff member finally relented. The blind people were able to keep their guide dogs who were just seated obediently at their owner’s feet anyway.
I mean, come on. A dog… grieving the Holy Spirit because he’s in a prayer room with his blind owner? Guide dogs go everywhere – even into rooms where people pray. Frankly, the whole affair reminded me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 23 where He said, “You give a tenth of your spices — mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides!” – that’s an interesting choice of words – “You blind guides, you strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” Jesus must have been thinking of those Seeing Eye dogs when He knew those blind people would come before His throne with their prayers. God doesn’t care that a little dog hair might get on the carpet in a church’s prayer room… but He sure does care about the heart attitudes His children who bring before His throne of grace their petitions; He cares about how seriously we take our prayers and whether or not we offer them in humility and in a spirit of worship. Thank heavens, Matthew 23 extols a higher law which incorporates prudence, compassion, and a more exalted perspective!
Friend, how often we believers lose our focus and put more emphasis on externals, rules, and practices, rather than on God's delight in hearing His children pray, as well as His passion for lost and hopeless people – and that, by the way, was the focus of the prayers of those blind people; they were interceding on behalf of people they knew who were without Christ. So… which means more to the Lord… religious decorum without dogs, or the plight of eternal souls?
Well, it goes without saying, God cares about the souls of men and women. And since we’re on the topic of blind people, don’t forget this is your last day to get to know my blind friend, Brian Bushway. This young guy is quite a believer, plus he teaches other young people who are losing their vision how to keep living with a bright spirit. You’ve just got to see Brian as he pushes his blind friends to climb a tree. It is so fun to see those blind kids just grab a limb and go for it. You can see it for yourself today at joniandfriendsradio.org. And while you’re on my webpage, tell me what you think about those Seeing Eye dogs in that prayer room. I’d like to hear your perspective on that incident. And until next time, may the Lord Jesus continue to fill your vision! And that’s joniandfriendsradio.org.
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