Genies

I know, you've heard it a thousand times: "don't pray just to ask for junk".

It gets pretty boring after a while, like watching the same news reel 40 different times in 40 different ways on YouTube. But maybe I can show it to you in a different light.

God is not your "Genie in a bottle". He is there for more than just material blessings. God wants to use your prayer times to encourage you, to show you his plans and even give you spiritual blessings at times.

God wants to meet with you, not get bombarded with your latest 50 "so-called" needs. He wants to talk to like a Friend or a Father. Why don't we share that same passion?

I'll admit it gets hard to talk with someone when they don't audibly talk back. For me, God usually talks in object lessons. Like the parables Jesus shared, God gives me story or examples to show what He's trying to say. I've  even received a vision from God. If you talk to him he'll talk back, just listen for it.

I really feel this is a hot topic among Christians these days. Mainly because we see how busy everyone is and how easily God gets put on the back burner. I should warn you not to take note of those who tell you how you should pray. Follow the Word of God's instruction on how to pray:

"... This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: 

   Our Father in heaven, 
   Reveal who you are. 
   Set the world right; 
   Do what's best— as above, so below. 
   Keep us alive with three square meals. 
   Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. 
   Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. 
   You're in charge! 
   You can do anything you want! 
   You're ablaze in beauty! 
      Yes. Yes. Yes."

-Matthew 6:7-13 (the Message)

Jesus is very reverent but simple when He talks with God. Many show-off christians will pray loud and publicly:

"And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?"

-Matthew 6:5

Does that mean that when someone at the altar call is crying or talking aloud to God that they are trying to show off how spiritual they are. In most cases, no. That is a time of serious humility. In those moments their faces are usually covered and shame is written all over their faces. A "theatrical" prayer is loud and over drawn (OOOOOOH LORD! Give me a SIGN!).

God would rather we pray as such:

"Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace."

-Matthew 6:6

See? God doesn't want a show but a friend. A one-on-one time. A Father-to-son talk. A lover-to-lover discussion. God just loves being with you. And the more you're with Him, the easier it becomes, the more He shows you, and eventually you take more out of your prayers than just earthly stuff.