So today i went out to lunch at Jason’s Deli, which is a resturant here in town, with another minister from church. Usually we try to grab lunch on Friday’s and talk about life, and ministry and what not. Today, though, we had an interesting experience due to a mistake in my order. The way the place worked you order you food and pay and they give you little pole with a number on it so they can bring your order. Well when they brought my food, it had mixed fruit salad instead of potato chips like i had ordered. I decided not to say anything because i know from my days in retail that when people complain over stuff like that it can be really frustrating. So i am eating along, and i start thinking this isn’t even the sandwich i ordered. Which probably means that someone else got my sandwich with those delicious fat crusted potato chips. So finally i say to my lunch guest, “i don’t think that this is what i ordered.” I explained to him why i didn’t want to take it back, and concluded with, “besides, i probably should be eating fruit instead of chips anyways.”

Isn’t that how prayer works, more often than not. Instead of God giving us what we ordered, He gives us what we need. I find myself then complaining to God that, “so and so, is not what i asked for i would like you to reconcile this please?” Now this doesn’t work as well with God as with restruants and for good reason. God knows what we need, and he gives it to us exactly when we need it.

The Bible has this to say, in Matthew and Ecclesiasties respectively

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. “

“Don’t shoot off your mouth, or speak before you think.
Don’t be too quick to tell God what you think he wants to hear.
God’s in charge, not you—the less you speak, the better.”

So let your words be few, and learn to be content and rejoice with what God gives you!