Pray Like It Depends On God….

Confession….I am a Christian that hasn’t always been faithful to read my Bible daily.  I have been in church by whole life,  but I have been guilty of saying that I wished the Bible had the answers to today’s problems.  Anyone else willing to admit that?  I am not proud of my past,  but I am grateful that I didn’t stay there.

Spending daily time in His Word is the way that you truly learn His ways.  History repeats itself, and history started in the Bible days.  Today, as I was reading 1 Samuel 13, God used this story of Saul to remind me that He does, indeed, provide answers to modern day situations.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Pray like it depends on God, and work like it depends on you.”?  In a previous job of mine, I heard this repeatedly.  It sounded Godly enough.  However, a sweet saint of God at Christview Ministries pointed out to me that it was not a truly scriptural concept.  (Side note:  Isn’t it scary that if we hear a phrase or thought enough times and it mentions God, we can start to believe it?)  If we pray and ask God for something and then we force it to happen by pushing, making a way, finding a way, and maybe even side-stepping his law, then was it of God?  We pray saying, “Please God, I have this big goal/dream/need and I need you to intervene.”  Then, we try to “work like it depends on you” instead of Him. Is that really believing in faith that God can make a way? UGH!

Instead, we are to go to God FIRST and seek HIS WILL.  Then, we pray that He gives us what we need to do His perfect will.  In any other order, you will either fail or be plain miserable.  “But, seek you first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”  (emphasis mine) Matthew 6:33   We aren’t to throw our wishes up to God like He is a genie in a bottle.  When we focus on working like “it depends on you”, pride sets in.  We start focusing on what we did instead of God.

If you are truly praying for God’s Will, the work load may be heavy; but you will have His strength to do it.  Now, don’t misunderstand me.  We are to work and not be lazy.  But, we work for the glory of the Lord and not for the glory of self.  Don’t leave this post thinking that I am saying that goals aren’t good.  Just know that we are to truly seek God first and let Him determine your goals.  Seek Him first before dating.  Seek Him first when attending college and choosing a major.  Seek Him first before applying for a job.  I know the world has a different opinion and the enemy is blasting us with “do what makes you happy.  That “do what makes you happy” business will create pride and selfishness.  When you are out of God’s will and plan, you won’t find happiness.

In 1 Samuel 13, King Saul was headed into battle without seeking God first.  Then, he became impatient, decided to take matters in his own hands and did the work of the priest, disregarding God’s law.  Pride.  “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18  When Samuel called Saul out, Saul started placing blame.  More pride.  Saul decided to seek God after the fact.  That’s a true example of “work like it depends on you.”

Dear Lord, please forgive me of all the times I have put my selfish goals before your perfect will.

You can find my full audio lesson on 1 Samuel 13 here.

Are you grateful for the history lessons that God gave us in His Word?  The more we read and study, the more we will become like him.  We get into the Word and God gets into us.  I would love to hear from you.  Leave a comment below.

#proofthatgodcanuseanybody

Beth