Is God our vending machine?

Why is it so important to pray? Or why do we pray after all?

Laura is a seven year old girl who is rotten spoiled by her parents, grandparents and everybody else in the S. family. It just happens that Laura is the first grandchild in both sides of the family and the only girl so far. She is a beautiful child with serious behavior problems. Laura's parents are receiving troubling reports from school. One of the biggest complaints is about the way she behaves when her wishes are not attended immediately. The names and some details of this case were changed. Nevertheless, this is a true story.

The description of this little girl may fit the description of any of us. How many times we revolted against God, because things were not exactly the way we wanted. So many depressed people in our time, who have lost faith in God, since life is not the way they planned. They don't pray anymore. Prayer for them is a way to buy good articles; God is an embodied vending machine.

Laura is the only girl in the family. We can easily give in to the temptation of behaving like we are also the one and only to God. The reality is that there is nothing so special about us that we should feel like we need to be obeyed, praised and pleased all the time. At the same time, we are very special to God, because we are one of a kind genetically and spiritually.

Parents tend to love all their children with the same intensity, even though they are aware of the differences between them. We teach our children to be responsible and independent, and so does God to us. He loves us and recognizes our differences which make us special but our destiny and choices are our responsibility.

Now imagine Life as a school, and that you were about to receive your grades. How they would be? Would you be proud of them? What would you do to improve them? Well, that's when prayer comes in handy.

Prayer is a direct communication with our Maker. How do you communicate with the ones you love? Do you only call them when you need money? Or when you need a favor? And now, how is your communication with God? Think about it. Do you talk to God only when you need a favor? Honestly, I think most of us would answer yes! We need to understand that the real power of praying resides in developing an intimacy with God, so we feel this pure spiritual energy bringing the best in us, and guiding us through the difficult moments in our lives.

Powerful source of wisdom, prayer is the only way we will find our inner selves. Prayer is a way to be in harmony with God and consequently with other living beings. God is not a vending machine. We are not little Laura. Let's grow up!

Learn more about this author, Grace Araujo Kolman.
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