In other words, is prayer your first attempt when things begin to go wrong or your last-ditched effort when they fall apart after all else fails? In the first scenario, we seek God first when trouble arises, or even better, we seek God first always regardless of whether we are facing difficulty.
In the latter scenario, we only go to God when things deteriorate so badly that the only option we have left to do is to pray. It can be compared to a tire blowing out on the road after we try multiple rounds of putting air in it or using “fix-a-flat!” We are telling God essentially that we have tried everything and everybody that we could think of to resolve our situations to no avail. NOW, we need Him. Imagine what God thinks.
Our prayer life should be like a steering wheel that drives our lives rather than like a spare tire that we fall back on when everything blows. And it should come as naturally as getting dressed or eating meals.
Frequent prayer along with reading the Bible develops our relationship with God. It is our means of asking forgiveness for our sins, making petitions, and being reminded of His will for our lives. Consider just a few of the scriptures in the Bible that cover prayer.
[Psalm 59:16] But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
[Psalm 62:8] Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
[Psalm 91:15] When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.
[James 5:13] Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
Remember this wise statement: “IF YOU ONLY PRAY WHEN YOU’RE IN TROUBLE, YOU’RE IN TROUBLE!”