Look at the Insects: Lessons From God’s World Намуна

Praying Mantis  

Shhhh! Praying mantis! 

In the Bible, names have significance. We notice both in the Old Testament and in the New, names have been given to people with reference to their character and call. For example, God changed Jacob’s name to Israel. In the New Testament, we find that Simon became Peter. However, that we do encounter people who sometimes do not live up to their name. 

Today we look at an insect that has an unusual name. It’s the praying mantis. Mantis come from a large group of insects referred to as Mantodea. The root Greek word for Mantodea means prophet. 

However, these creatures are ruthless predators and even show cannibalistic tendencies and so they derive their name from posture, and not character. 

Yes, when a praying mantis is waiting for its prey, it keeps its front legs upright and appear to be folded in prayer. But that angelic pose is just an advantageous stance, well poised for the attack. The praying mantis stays still – making it look like in serious prayer – just before going for the kill. 

A positive lesson we could draw from the praying mantis is the stillness. Reminds one, of the verse in Psalm 46, “Be still and know that I am God”. 

The mantis is also able to turn its head without turning its body – 180 degrees on each side. They have a flexible joint between the head and its prothorax region which enables them to swivel their heads. This means it can look over its shoulder at an intruder behind. No other insect has the ability of such surveillance. 

Apart from bees and flies that are targeted, large mantis also devour lizards, frogs and even some birds. No wonder someone said - this brutal insect should be called – preying mantis and not praying mantis! 

While posture in prayer is crucial, the attitude of the heart is of paramount importance. Jesus constantly checks the intent of the heart and is not impressed with a mere outward religiosity. He reprimands the religious leaders of his time for their long, public prayers, while their hearts were far away from Him. 

An example from Jesus’ prayer life on earth is worth emulating. Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray. Just before His arrest and crucifixion, in those intense agonizing moments, the gospels record that Jesus was praying in the garden – ‘Abba, remove this cup from me, yet not my will but Yours’. He prayed and surrendered Himself for the sake of others. How is our prayer life? Do they represent self-seeking indulgences or a care and concern for others? 

Prayer is not a privilege to fulfill our selfish desires. 

Francis of Assisi penned this prayer many centuries ago which strikes a chord today: 

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
 

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love.
 

For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”

The name ‘Simon’ means, ‘He has heard,’ while Peter means, ‘The rock’. Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”. 

Centuries before that, the angel of the Lord announced to Jacob (which means deceiver/ supplanter): “Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won. That’s why your name will be Israel”. 

Friend, may our lives, the posture of our bodies and our hearts, be pleasing unto Him.