I have to admit, for the first time in my life I am learning what it means to really pray. As I grow in this area, I realize more and more how much I’ve had it all wrong in the past! I’m afraid that I – like many Christians – haven’t been praying. I’ve been demanding.

The difference is in something I learned preparing for a sermon a couple months ago that has really taken root in my own life. Demands expect God to do what I want and think that I need or think that He needs from me. Prayer, on the other hand, allows him to say no.

For too long the Church has taught prayer to an extreme – just name it and claim it! If a prayer doesn’t get answered, it must be because I don’t have enough faith or because I didn’t ask in the right way.

But Jesus taught something much different. He taught that we should pray, “YOUR will be done…” What a dangerous prayer! It allows God to say no. It means I have to ask for HIS will to be done and leave Him room to be God rather than demanding MY vision happen, MY wants to be met, and MY dreams to come true. He knows what’s best for me, and He knows what will bring him the ultimate glory even when it hurts or makes no sense.

When we give God room to be God and say “no” it actually opens our life to much greater blessing. We see his glory revealed through suffering. We see his lovingkindness when He gives us more than we even ask for. We see his hand of protection keeping us from what we thought we wanted, which would have actually caused more pain.

Part 2 will deal with some of what I’ve learned through prayers that God said “no” to. Before then, what prayers are you praying that might actually be demands? Are you telling God what he has to do, or are you giving him room to say “no”? Like any good parent, he wants what is best for you and sometimes that means you don’t get your way. Reflect on that and thank God for being the perfect Father!