Might we have things at bit backwards at times? Do we practice prayer sporadically and, when we do, it's the process of us sitting at the table (or pew) and placing our orders? God, we'd like two days unscrambled so that by 8:00 p.m. we could note that they were over easy. Too, would you keep others from disturbing us for You know we've got enough troubles of our own. And, oh yes God, would you see to it that my tomorrow is carefree for I'm in need of a break from those pestering distruptors who seem to cut in line to my having a good day? Huh, God? Could ya? Amen.
When our prayers are laced with the I wants coupled with incredible absent gaps of Thank Yous we are likely approaching God as our Waiter and not our relational Father. Indeed, He is most interested in our needs and called for us to call on Him. This thread is true. Yet, to relate to Him as only one who takes our orders with little relationship misses the point of being His child.
How do I know this? That's the way I once approached prayer. I want. I need. I'd like. Why haven't You...? It took me decades to unlock the mystery of giving God vocal prayerful praise. And, such a transition changed both my prayer life and my interaction with Him and others.
Doors opened. Effectiveness flowed. His work flourished. It seemed we finally partnered.
My concern is that when God is merely our Waiter (as was the case with me), that we will be sluggish in prayer while, simultaneously, bugged because He seems to be absent from our needs. We need Him. He wants us. Maybe if we would make a transition from the I wants over to the Thank Yous we would find a Father/child relationship unfolding...that very thing that our inner being hungers for most.
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