Two things have I required of thee
Tucked in the penultimate chapter of Proverbs is the simple yet profound prayer of Agur son of Jakeh. While we know little about Agur himself, his humility and reliance on God is evident from his declaration (Prov 30:2,5-6). Following this, we have his request: “Two things I ask of you, 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.” (Prov 30:7-9). A deliberate prayer for less Agur’s prayer is not a list of vague wishes, but a precise, intentional request. He shows us the wisdom of deliberation in prayer. Before we speak, it is wise to consider what we truly need, and what we genuinely desire from God. Agur’s preface demonstrates this thoughtful preparation, surprisingly narrowing his requirements to only two (“less is more!”). His request also ca...
