I know a beautician who is facing the loss of her job when the beauty parlor she works in closes its doors and hangs out a "for sale" sign. This woman has decided that she wants to go into business for herself and work out of her home or her own small shop and she's asking others to pray for her; to pray that things will work out that way.
What is this woman really asking? What kind of prayer is she offering to God? Her prayer is not unlike thousands of others offered "up to God" on a daily basis. "Dear God, give me what I want and I won't bother you any more"; or "Dear God, get me through this crisis and I promise I'll be good"; or "Dear God, keep me from having to struggle and I'll love you forever."
In short, all these prayers are saying the same thing; "Dear God, please give in to my fear."
For those who are sincere in their requests, what happens when their prayers are answered (in the manner that they're expected to be answered)? The requester is thankful. The requester loves God even more. But, what kind of thankfulness or love can be built on a foundation of fear? What kind of thanksgiving or love is used as a tool of trade or a bargaining chip or a ticket to by-pass guilt?
For those who are sincere in their requests, what happens when their prayers aren't answered (in the expected manner)? The requester is often angry, confused, depressed, or resentful. And by this, they're punishing God. Maybe if they ignore Him, distrust Him, disobey Him, or show Him just how angry they are, God will be sorry and give them what they want.
If these scenarios seem too childish, examine closely the parallels of a temperamental child with an adult, and a fear-filled human being with God.
Yet, there are also many people who have grown beyond the "Dear God" phase. They can often be heard saying, "I just have to trust God." They "trust" God to know better than they do, what they want or need. Or, they "trust" God to not give them more than they can cope with. Yet so often, when the prayers aren't answered, this trust quickly turns to a sense of betrayal and the requester feels justified with his righteous indignation. Hasn't he merely set up God as a patsy or a "fall guy" for blame?
The underlying cause of all these behaviors is viewing God as outside one's self or apart from one's self. It's so much easier to blame someone or something else as the cause of misfortune or fear. And it's so much easier to allow ego that voice of false humility by attributing an external being with omnipotent power to create all fortune or happiness. Whether we view God as the cause of all fortune or misfortune, we're still placing ourselves in the victim mode.
As humans, we hold many images of God. In whatever form God appears to us, as long as we see that image as something external, we hold that image as our servant - to accept whatever responsibility we want to give it.
But, God is in all things. ALL things - to include every cell of my body, every atom, every nucleus, every DNA code, every thought, every emotion, every sensation, every feeling, every action. God and I are inseparable. All that I am, is God. I AM the Alpha and the Omega. I AM the creator and destroyer of all I experience and all that I AM.
What is this woman really asking? What kind of prayer is she offering to God? Her prayer is not unlike thousands of others offered "up to God" on a daily basis. "Dear God, give me what I want and I won't bother you any more"; or "Dear God, get me through this crisis and I promise I'll be good"; or "Dear God, keep me from having to struggle and I'll love you forever."
In short, all these prayers are saying the same thing; "Dear God, please give in to my fear."
For those who are sincere in their requests, what happens when their prayers are answered (in the manner that they're expected to be answered)? The requester is thankful. The requester loves God even more. But, what kind of thankfulness or love can be built on a foundation of fear? What kind of thanksgiving or love is used as a tool of trade or a bargaining chip or a ticket to by-pass guilt?
For those who are sincere in their requests, what happens when their prayers aren't answered (in the expected manner)? The requester is often angry, confused, depressed, or resentful. And by this, they're punishing God. Maybe if they ignore Him, distrust Him, disobey Him, or show Him just how angry they are, God will be sorry and give them what they want.
If these scenarios seem too childish, examine closely the parallels of a temperamental child with an adult, and a fear-filled human being with God.
Yet, there are also many people who have grown beyond the "Dear God" phase. They can often be heard saying, "I just have to trust God." They "trust" God to know better than they do, what they want or need. Or, they "trust" God to not give them more than they can cope with. Yet so often, when the prayers aren't answered, this trust quickly turns to a sense of betrayal and the requester feels justified with his righteous indignation. Hasn't he merely set up God as a patsy or a "fall guy" for blame?
The underlying cause of all these behaviors is viewing God as outside one's self or apart from one's self. It's so much easier to blame someone or something else as the cause of misfortune or fear. And it's so much easier to allow ego that voice of false humility by attributing an external being with omnipotent power to create all fortune or happiness. Whether we view God as the cause of all fortune or misfortune, we're still placing ourselves in the victim mode.
As humans, we hold many images of God. In whatever form God appears to us, as long as we see that image as something external, we hold that image as our servant - to accept whatever responsibility we want to give it.
But, God is in all things. ALL things - to include every cell of my body, every atom, every nucleus, every DNA code, every thought, every emotion, every sensation, every feeling, every action. God and I are inseparable. All that I am, is God. I AM the Alpha and the Omega. I AM the creator and destroyer of all I experience and all that I AM.
(c) Ronnie Carroll
September 2008
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