Surrender: The Prayer Of Agur

“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die.”

Proverbs 30:7

The first several dozen times I read the prayer of Agur I thought it was good for Agur but anathema for me. I could never pray it.

What is the prayer of Agur? “‘Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me’” (Proverbs 30:7-8). So far so good. This first request is no more than a prayer for integrity. What Christian doesn’t want to have integrity? No matter how steeped in sin a Christian becomes, he always wants to flee from immorality when he comes to his senses.

The second part of Agur’s prayer strikes a different cord: “‘Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread’” (Proverbs 30:8).

Lord, I have built my whole life around integrity. But my goal has always been to become financially independent. I cannot pray this prayer. It may be good for Agur, but it’s certainly not for me.

The barely audible voice of memory whispers, “‘Give us today our daily bread’” (Matthew 6:11).

I don’t like that prayer either, Lord.

Two Great Tests

Integrity and Money are two great tests. The test of integrity appeals to our logic; it enhances our reputation among people. When we are moral, our esteem rises. Perhaps that is why Agur did not sense the need to amplify his prayer for integrity. The test of money goes against our logic; to pray against riches is to pray against everything we have been working toward.

Maybe that is why Agur sensed the need to amplify his prayer that God would give him “neither poverty nor riches.” He explained, “Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say,‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:9).

Have you ever had “too much”? The test of prosperity is greater than the test of poverty, though they are both telling tests.

You and I have a curse. The curse is that we believe we can handle riches, where weaker men cannot. We think we can handle more money and not forget God. The plain truth is that we already have too much. If we are completely honest, we must admit that the riches we already have, however little they may be, cause us to drift away from the things of God. The possessions we already have consume us. The time it takes to manage what we already have makes us act as if we don’t know the Lord, even if we never consciously say, “Who is the Lord?”

Money competes with God, while integrity complements God. Money is the greater test, for it is the dominant value of a world that is passing away. Honoring Christ is the dominant value of the world that is coming, and the prayer of Agur seeks to honor Christ.

I have learned to pray the prayer of Agur (and mean it). Like most of us, I have had “too much.” It took several years to surrender to the point I could pray for neither poverty nor riches. Where are you on your pilgrimage? Are you secure enough with Christ to pray the prayer of Agur?

I SURRENDER

“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown You and say,‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Amen.