Rethinking Prayer: From Comfort to Spiritual Growth

The Uncomfortable Truth About Prayers

Have you ever stopped to think about what drives your prayers? Are you seeking comfort, convenience, or a deeper connection with God? Hosea 13:4a-6 reminds us that our focus should be on the latter. “You were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore they forgot Me.”

A Bold Prayer

I’ll never forget the time I prayed a seemingly foolish prayer: “God, please bring suffering into my life.” It was 1997, and I was attending a discipleship training school abroad. Looking back, I realize that I was onto something. We need to be cautious about what we pray for, as our motivations often revolve around gaining comfort.

The Comfort Trap

We’ve all prayed for things like a better job, a bigger house, or a perfect partner. These aren’t inherently bad prayers, as God wants to hear our concerns and desires. However, our primary motivation is often to improve our circumstances, rather than to grow closer to Him. When we get what we wish for, we tend to forget about God and take His kindness for granted. This comfort can become an idol, stifling our spiritual growth.

Rethinking Our Priorities

I’m not suggesting that we seek out suffering for its own sake. Rather, we need to reassess our priorities as followers of Jesus. Our greatest need is to become more like Him, and this often requires seasons of trials to drive us to greater dependence on God. If God’s ultimate goal is to make us more like Jesus, shouldn’t we start praying like it’s ours too?

A Radical Request

So, what would happen if we prayed with a different motivation? What if we said, “Dear God, make me more like Jesus, no matter what it takes”? Would we be willing to surrender our comfort and convenience for the sake of spiritual growth? This radical request has the power to transform our lives and our relationships with God.

A Deeper Connection

As we reexamine our prayers, let’s remember that God’s generous gifts are meant to draw us closer to Him, not distract us from His presence. By seeking to become more like Jesus, we’ll find a deeper connection with God and a more meaningful life. So, take a step of faith and pray that bold prayer. You never know where it might lead.

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