The more you try to do God’s job the more you miss out on miracles.

We constantly try to get God to do what we want. We want a miracle or a deal or a way out. We want our way, just like toddlers.

We are OCD about our prayer life. If we are waiting for test results we will think that if we see good omens then we will get good results. If this color car passes all will be well. If this person calls, all will be well.

It will be what it is. Praying won’t change the results. You either are or are not OK.

It is like praying for a certain gender of a baby after the woman is pregnant. Then it is too late. The gender is already a given.

It is like seeing smoke and fire on your block as you are driving home and praying that the house on fire isn’t yours. Too late. There is a house on fire. It isn’t going to suddenly stop being on fire if it is yours because you prayed about it.

You are only setting yourself up for disappointment this way. You are only going to start thinking of God as a mean God.

It is better to pray before the need. It is better to be in a constant state of prayer. Part of praying is communication with God, but part of it is also learning to accept that God is always on charge.

It is best that we don’t always get our way. We don’t have the big picture. We can’t see the future and the strands of life and how they intertwine. God sees this and more. God knows what is going to happen and what is best.

So pray, but be aware that prayer changes you, not God.

One way to pray is this: “I will to will Thy will, O Lord”