God Thought 8/31/22

Why is Prayer a Last Resort?

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29

During a visit to a local hardware store, I saw a man walk up to the counter and ask for help to find an item that he had been searching for to no avail.  It was no problem for the store clerk, “Sure we have that right over here.”
 
The man, frustrated and irritated made a joking comment as he followed him to the part, “When all else fails, ask for help”, to which the clerk responded quickly, “often times we see people just like you that come in similar circumstances.  Come to us first and we'll make sure you have what you need.”

I don’t know why that concept is so foreign to us at times.  Why don’t we go to those knowledgeable and wiser then us to find the help we need? Instead, we make it a last resort.

This is true when it comes to prayer as well.  We say “When all else fails, pray!”  Shouldn’t taking our problems to God be the first thing we do?  And yet many of us waste time trying to do it ourselves.  We come up short when all the while God was there with the peace, security, love and means to live out the lives He has called us to.  He has everything we need, so why do we waste time look elsewhere?

There is no limit to God’s resources.  There is no limit to His Love.  He invites us to come freely into his presence through prayer and ask him those things that we need.  Let us not make Prayer a last resort but our first step in living out our faith with him this day.

Prayer
Forgive us God, when we waste time looking everywhere else for the answers that you already have for us.  Show us how to trust you as the source of all good things we need in our lives.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.