Sometimes I have to remind my young adult children “don’t just text me when you’re having a problem. Get in touch when things are going well.”
I am glad to help sort out the insurance claim when a driver failed to brake at a stop sign and crashed into the side of my daughter’s car. Well, actually, my husband was more help than me. Or I’m happy to proof read my son’s application for a new job.
However, I’m also over the moon when everything is running smoothly at work, when they have enough money for the month, and when they’ve had a fun evening with a friend.
But, occasionally, “pick up the phone” I tease, “and say things are great.”
I want to join in their successes as well as their failures, their delights as well as their despairs.
If not it can feel like I’m being taken for granted, that they fail to appreciate all we, as parents, have done to smooth out the ups and downs of life. I know that’s not the case, but sometimes it feels like it.
All this got me thinking, do we as children of God behave the same way with our heavenly Father as I feel my children do with me?
Do we cry out desperately about our needs, but don’t speak to God as much when we have plenty?
Do we want God to be there with us through the rough times, but fail to speak to him just as frequently when life is going swimmingly?
God wants to celebrate the good with us as well as carry us through the bad.
So, how do we pray when things are easy? We need to:
Pray routinely
Routines can be boring. In no way do I mean this. Instead, we want prayer to be a habit. We want prayer to become a regular activity in our day. But more than this, we need to crave our time with God. It’s the craving that drives the habit.
We should yearn for our time with God and not feel settled or content until we have spent time with him, whether it is the morning, evening, or night.
We should make it a priority during our busy times. Jesus prayed throughout the peak of his work when the crowds followed him and many wanted to be healed by him. Jesus found time to spend with his Father.
Pray deeply
When work is a dream, finances are abundant, and the family aren’t fighting, pray powerfully.
Use prayer as a means to build a strong foundation to your faith, so you can stand strong when the storms come.
When we have a rock solid base, although we will struggle and be shaken during the storm, we will not be shattered.
When the sun shines in your life, meditate on God’s Word, remind yourself of his promises, thank him for his goodness, or just rest and enjoy spending time with God.
Spend time with your heavenly Father even if you have no specific need to do so.
Pray repentantly
Finally, we must repent when we have neglected our relationship with God. Forgiveness is always available. A fresh start is always possible.
When times are good, pray routinely, deeply and repentantly. Most of all, let your problems and your praises keep you on your knees.
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