Crisis Prayers

Crisis Prayers

Bible Blast: Read Jeremiah 2:26-27

They turn their backs on me, but in times of trouble they cry out to me,“Come and save us!” Jeremiah 2:27

I’ve heard stories about people who get into really sticky or life-threatening situations and frantically say, “God, if you get me out of this—if you save my life—I’ll do whatever you ask! I’ll never sin again! I’ll become a missionary! Just get me out of this mess!” I guess some people do end up serving God after situations like that, but many don’t.

Today’s Bible Blast talks about such desperate people calling on God in a time of trouble. God was talking about the people of Israel because they worshiped all those other silly, powerless gods, yet when things got tough, they cried out to God to rescue them. That kind of life doesn’t please God. He knows that when people pray these prayers of selfish desperation, it’s not because they love him and want him to be their God. They just want him to do anything they wish.

What about you? Do you only pray when you need or want something? Do most of your prayers contain lists of all the things you want God to do for you? It’s easy to get into that kind of habit, isn’t it? We hardly notice that we’re only talking to God when we need his help.

I had a friend like that once. She always called me when she needed me to help with her chores. If she needed help with homework, we were best friends. But her need was the extent of our friendship. As you can imagine, the relationship didn’t last very long.

It’s such a blessing when friends spend time with you just because they enjoy you and they want to know your thoughts, dreams, and ideas. And it blesses God when you just enjoy him or thank him. He enjoys you every moment of every day. He created you and loves to watch the amazing things you do.

Once you begin to express your love to Jesus, it can be habit forming. You’ll find that you’re thanking him and talking to him all the time. It will become as natural as breathing.

Girl Gab: Today make a deal with your mom that for one week, neither of you will ask God for anything when you pray. You’ll just thank him, praise him, talk to him, and listen to him. As the week goes on, talk about what you’re both feeling and learning about yourselves and God.