A Curious Expression
Monday, October 26th, 2009I don’t know if any of you ever visit Stuff Christians Like, but if you’ve never visited it, you should. It’s a blog about the funny things we Christians do. And what they just might reveal about our faith. Like #641: Getting mad when someone interrupts your quiet time with God.
Anyway, this blog got me to thinking about an expression that is often thrown around by Christians that has always struck me as odd.
“I covet your prayers.”
Where did this come from? A quick Bible search reveals to me not a single verse where the word “covet” is used in a positive light. Used to describe sin? Yes. But something we should aspire to do? Definitely not. Then why….why do we think it sounds hyper-spiritual and holy for us to covet prayers? “I know it’s a sin to covet my neighbour’s house, husband, servant, ox, donkey, couch, beautifully landscaped yard, espresso machine, tile backsplash, or anything that is my neighbour’s….but I really have a covetous heart and rather than repenting….oh I know, I’ll covet prayer! That will sound spiritual, won’t it?”
I know, someone’s going to think that was way too harsh. Maybe so. I’m just putting it out there. And I’m not implying that it’s wrong to ask your Christian brothers and sisters to pray for you. I’m just wondering: why use the word covet? I find no one coveting prayer in the Bible.