Vending Prayers

As a kid, rest stops were a highlight on family road trips. It wasn’t the pristine restrooms. It was the vending machines. I had a pocket full of change and opportunity. Potato chips or candy? Grape soda or classic coca-cola? The wrong choice could ruin the next few hours in the car. I can still feel the anticipation. Would it get stuck? Would the coke machine eat my quarter and dime? That’s right. $.35 cent soda pop. Those were the days.

I was praying the other day. Well, it was more like rattling off the things weighing on me. As I did, I was reminded of vending machines. I approach God, speak my prayer like a coin falling into the slot. I push my selection. B 12, heal my shoulder. C 05, car repair. E 10, stale pack of gum… I mean dream job. I wait for it to spinout and fall into place, holding my breath that the answer doesn’t get hung up on a technicality. And if I have to wait for more than a minute, I’m ready to attack God with yelling and shaking ’til something comes down the chute.

As this imagery came to mind I laughed. I laughed because that’s really how I pray sometimes. But mainly, I laughed because I know it’s the furthest thing from God’s heart.

God’s ears are not impersonal like a vending machine. His heart doesn’t cheat us. He doesn’t withhold blessings because we’re short on change. And he never malfunctions! God’s care for us and the things concerning us is too wonderful for me to grasp at times. And when I do I get a taste of his care, I’m undone.

I’m not perfect at praying—not even sure that’s a thing. I have to remind myself of God’s heart when the needs pile up and urgency creeps in. But I’m learning that prayer from any other mindset than relationship and connection — father to child, bride to groom, friend to friend, co-laborers — is a bad approach. Like, not just bad, but bad for us.

Prayer, all kinds of prayers and supplications, is a two-way invitation. We’re inviting God to walk with us in the need at hand. We are also surrendering to his care and provision. He is good, he is faithful, he is holy. The answers and revelations, whether instant or a prolonged suddenly, are nothing short of everything he is extended to us.

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