So, your favorite sports team didn't win the big game; someone else got that promotion at work that you wanted so badly; or that special person, whom you had hoped would finally take an interest in you, took an interest in someone else. You start thinking, "What else could go wrong?"
These are just a sampling of life situations that make many feel dejected, depressed, perhaps even despondent. I'm sure that most of you could share some experiences of your own. But, there's a specific type of dejection that can hit believers hard. It's commonly called spiritual dejection: a sadness that is caused by failure, loss, or lowness in spirits..
There are different causes of it, but how we pray may cause major problems that can lead to spiritual dejection. Let's refer back to the opening paragraph for a moment. When things don't turn out the way we had hoped, as alluded to in the examples, we tend to feel as if the bottom has dropped out, or dejected.
"Why didn't it work out?" "What could I have done differently?" "Did I not try hard enough?" These thoughts (and hundreds like them) swirl around in our heads as we try to make sense of it all. You might also feel this way when your prayers are not answered in a way that is not satisfactory.
What happens then? You might feel as if God wasn't listening to your petitions; or even worse, that He has abandoned you. Listen, I realize that we live in an instant-gratification society today. We want it our way, and we want it now! And, if it doesn't happen, we move on to something, or someone else better capable of getting things done.
Additionally, things seem to get tossed aside more easily nowadays if they don't work in our favor (relationships, material goods, jobs, etc.) We even do that with God. How many of us have quit prayer altogether because it didn't work in our favor? This is where "spiritual dejection" can likely slip in to our lives.
Interestingly, you can see how one-sided this is. It's all about "me!" We come off sounding selfish and self-centered in prayer. Instead of seeking God Himself, we demand an answer from Him. Insistence on an answer to our prayers is not the right way to connect with God.
We pray as if God is a bank automatic teller machine (ATM). A problem arises; we drop to our knees, tell him what we need, and "Poof!" it's done! Does this sound familiar? If this is the case, then you've missed the whole point of praying.
The primary purpose of praying should always be to get in touch with God, not get an answer. We build ourselves up in what we can receive from God. Then, when the walls cave in because our own self-interests are not granted, we lay the blame on Him.
Any kind of spiritual dejection is wrong. And, you know who's really to blame? You're right..it's us! The value of prayer can hardly be estimated. As Christians, if we are unable, or unwilling to seriously approach it as the gift that it is, then we might as well give up the Christian walk of life.
Prayer nourishes and strengthens our divine life. It's the energy of our life and soul. It also gives us power over sin and the world. But, most importantly, prayer provides us the privilege of coming into the presence of God and conversing with him.
James 5:15 tells us that we should offer our prayers in faith. Take a look at how you have been praying. Don't be afraid to change things if you need to. Call out to Him, but not in an imperative manner. Remember to always approach God as the loving, merciful Father he is (Psalm 37:23)!
Scripture: Colossians 4:2; Luke 18:1; Matthew 26:41; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 145:18-19
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen - Matthew 6:9-13
God loves you!
Janice
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