The Problem with Prayer

Prayer is hard.

I mean – I believe in it. I know I should do it. I really want to do it.

But it’s the first thing that goes out the window when I’m busy, and it’s the last thing I stop to do when I really want to get the job done now.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I think I’m better than God. It’s just that, in my experience, He tends to take things slow, while I’m all about efficiency and expediency.I don’t waste time on words. It’s hard for me to keep quiet for too long. And I’m a woman of action. I’ve got a fix it kind of attitude.

But every now and then I run into a problem I can’t fix – no matter how hard I try – reminding me that I’m not God, reminding me that I need, reminding me that I can’t. So I resort to prayer. Except that I feel like a hypocrite and I sound really really lame. Who knew prayer could sound rusty and trite?  I mean, how hard is it to pray? If only it were a little more like riding a bicycle.

But it’s not.

Emergency prayer is more like showing up to a family reunion and realizing that you haven’t kept up with anyone for the last 10 years.

It’s awkward.

I mean, really, really awkward.

And you’re afraid to ask anything that’s too personal or that really matters. Because you feel like a stranger in the room.

So you resort to small talk. How’s the weather. How’s the garden? God you’re great, God you’re good. Now I thank you for this food.

The problem with prayer is that we think it’s a lifeline when it’s really more like oxygen. We need it on a regular basis to survive.  Some days we need it more than others, but every day we need at least enough.

Jesus prayed.

Paul prayed.

Peter prayed.

My pastor prays.

My small group leader prays.

My mother prays.

And today, I’m going to pray.

I’m going to pray persistently, like the poor widow.

I’m going to pray patiently, like Moses in the wilderness.

I’m going to pray fervently, like Elijah for rain.

I’m going to pray personally, because He’s my father. And I won’t be a stranger.

The problem with prayer is really quite simple.

It’s me.

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