It frustrates me to no end when people I talk to share how God brought something good into their lives due to prayer. This idea that communing with the being that made the universe extends to the mundane aspects of our life shows how sheltered and naive North America has become to larger issues both at home and around the world.
I had lunch with someone recently who shared that he had to fight for a benefit of his job that was in jeopardy of being taken away (minor benefit...think travel budget a couple of times a year). He said to me, "I had to fight for it, but I got it. And you know what was different? I prayed about it."
Over the last few years, a friend of mine has been going through hell on Earth: his wife had been struggling with cancer for almost a decade. She died last month, not even 30 yet, leaving him without the love of his life and their 5 children without a mother. He would send email updates about her status, all the while talking about God's grace, his goodness, and that they were constantly praying.
Prayer should not be seen as a toy list handed to Santa at Christmas. Prayer, in its truest form, should be about conversing with the Creator about making us better people, raising others up as a sacrifice (although we have the ability to have personal time with god, the idea of giving that time in pleading for another has deeper meaning when you really think about it), and sharing our life concerns.
But what has been taught in churches for decades is that God wants to know all aspects of our lives, and play into those aspects no matter how silly they seem. I worked with youth and heard everything from asking that their sports team plays well, to passing exams, to helping people read their Bibles more (because most Christians seem to struggle with this).
The way Christians use and market the power of prayer does nothing to validate it. If anything, it shows that God can do anything...as long as its really small. Cure cancer, save a life, stop a war? Sorry...you're out of luck.
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