I had a friend in college who would come to our campus ministry on occasion. Once when she had been missing from our body of believers for a while, I told her we missed her and invited her back. She told me that life was going well for her and she did not need to pray to God right now. That was the first time I had ever hear anyone admit that sort of belief in God.
The unfortunate truth is that many people in our society believe the same way as my college friend. They have a job, marriage is solid, kids are not fighting or flunking out of school, parents are healthy and traffic is going their way; therefore, they do not need to pray to God. It is only when the dark clouds come rolling in when they turn heavenward.
In Deuteronomy 8:11, Moses gave a stern warning to the Israelites about this type of sunshine/dark sky mentality toward God when we pray. He told them not to forget God and not to stop following His ways when life was good. A few books over in Ecclesiastes 12:1, we are called to “remember now your Creator…before the difficult days come.”
God wants you to come to Him to pray at any time, good or bad. He does not want to be used as a cosmic Jeanie in a lamp. God wants so much more from us. He wants a relationship with you. Just like other close relationships you have, you tell that person the good with the bad. You just do not tell them all the bad. They cry with you and they laugh with you. That is a picture of God, your Heavenly Father.
If your prayer life looks a little like a cosmic Jeanie or if you are only going to Him when life gets out of hand, you can change that. Start by telling Him five things you are thankful for. Then you can branch out by telling Him what you love about Him. You will soon notice that prayer will come easier to you.
I would love to hear about your growth in your prayer life. Email me at [email protected].