~~Let’s remind ourselves of those frustrating moments at the fast food drive-thru when we’re made to wait, or worse, receive an incorrect, incomplete, or cold order. I spent years working at Burger King, where our motto was “Your way right away!” Our goal was to have your customized order ready in three minutes or less. Times have changed, but isn’t this kind of efficiency an expectation in life in general? I would argue that we also expect this in our prayer life.
Without explicitly stating it, aren’t we essentially living a “drive-thru prayer life”? Don’t we go through the motions of telling God what we want, how we want it, and even when we want it done by? But who is God in this approach?
Consider this example:
“Good morning, Lord,
It’s a beautiful day, but a little too hot. Could you bring in some early fall weather? My darling daughter starts school today. Please help her have a good day and use her manners all day. Also, my husband has been grumpy. Can you help adjust his attitude so tonight will be better? Oh, and I have a meeting with some sponsors today and really need to secure the sponsorship. Give me the right words to say so they say yes. Thanks, God!”
It’s as if you’ve pulled up to the menu and ordered fall weather, manners for your daughter, an attitude adjustment for your husband, and a successful meeting outcome for yourself to all be delivered today! At least you said thank you! This is how we often approach God, as if He were a genie or only there to fulfill our desires. But that’s not who God is or how prayer works!
God invites us to come humbly before Him, entering His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. It’s not a formula; it’s a relationship that He desires. His heart inclines towards His children when we open our hearts to Him. Personally, I wouldn’t appreciate it if my children came to me with the kind of prayer mentioned above. God longs to know us and to be known by us, and it begins in prayer, focusing not just on our wants, but on who we are and who He is to us.
“Slow down,” He says, “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open.” (Matthew 7:7) Consider this: if a random child comes up to you in a store and asks for something, are you likely to buy it for them? Probably not! Don’t approach God like a random child. This is a promise for His children; His children have a relationship with Him. Cultivate that relationship with Him!
If you want to learn more about growing in your prayer life or knowing God, email me at pastortriciagray@gmail.com.~~
Pastor Tricia's Ramblings 
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