Why don't we pray?
It's so much easier to trust in the known, the seen.
Church programs and events are more interesting than sitting and praying to (what it feels like) "Someone out there"
When we do pray, I found myself just ranting, getting distracted, unchanged and sometimes even more fired up by that thing that bothered me.
As I think about why I don't pray, perhaps I realised that here are some of my issues with prayer:
1. I don't want someone else to decide what is best for me
2. I don't believe that God is able to fulfill my desires as perfectly as I desired it to be
3. I don't want to be changed, I like the way I am
4. Prayer is for lazy losers, I'm a do-er
5. Do I believe that God is all powerful?
6. I've spent so long planning for (insert event) I'm sure it'll work because I'm so good
7. If things don't work out, it's not up to God, it's up to US to find the solution
Again, this is all my own reflection on why I don't pray. As I live out my life struggling with my own sinfulness and failure to depend on God, I am constantly challenged and encouraged by when I witnessed God at work even before I ask for it.
In my own life, I've witnessed countless of times where God works miracoulusly beyond my own understanding. How He stepped into a situation that seemed irresolvable and solved it with the most mind blowing, beyond comprehension solution. Everytime He showed up, I am left completely speechless and without other options but to prostrate on the ground praising Him and repenting at the same time.
Many times, it takes a lot of stress, anxiety, and depression before I remember to pray and learn to trust in Him again.
Prayer goes against every single grain of my proud being.
When I pray, I acknowledge the fact that I am fallible, finite and limited but He is not
When I pray, I am asking Him to change me, my heart, to be more like Him
When I pray, I am surrendering control over mine and other people's lives and allowing Him to work in His perfect timing and perfect way
When I pray, I am put in my right place
When I pray, He is glorified when He works for the good of His people
This, then, is my challenge, I want to pray more boldly, not just for little petty things but for BIG, SCARY, IMPOSSIBLE things. I want to take His challenge to pray for His Kingdom come, His will be done on Earth as in Heaven that His name be Hallowed. I want to pray that God will raise up more praying people not just doing people.
