Why would I ask for what I want?

“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. 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 MSG)

We are told we should seek, ask, and knock in our petitions to God. But what are we looking for? Why should I ask God for what I want when my perspective is so limited? If he knows what I need better than I do, then what I really want is what he wants for me.

Just as in Jesus’ day, people today peddle ways to try to get what you want from God. That’s not the point of prayer. Jesus says I shouldn’t fall for that nonsense. My first clue should be the public nature of these “prayer warriors.” Jesus just got done saying this:

“When you do something for someone else, don’t call attention to yourself. You’ve seen them in action, I’m sure-‘playactors’ I call them-treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that’s all they get. “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 6:2, 6 MSG)

Where is the focus? On me? No, when I’m alone with God the focus is on him. When I’m in public praying with others, or talking about prayer, the focus is too often on self and what self gets from prayer. Or we are praying for others to get what they want. But what does God want? Shouldn’t that be our first question?

Our error is to assume that we need to inform God of anything. He needs to inform our heart and minds and the way he does that is when we are alone with him where there’s no play acting allowed. I can get away with saying whatever I want in front of others, but God will call me on it every time–assuming I’m even trying to listen to him.

So, first, I must get alone in a quiet secluded place to shift my focus to God so that I can sense his grace. He wants to give and I would much rather have what he has in mind than to give him a piece of mine.

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