Dictating to God

He was not quite tall enough to see over the dashboard of the car I was driving.

“Hurry up, Mom!” he urged.

But he was too young to read the road signs that said 45 miles per hour. As I began to apply the brakes, he demanded, “Why are you stopping?”

“There is a school bus that has just stopped,” I explained.

As soon as we started again, he urged, “Pass him, Mom.” He was too small to see the double yellow line.

I thought to myself, “How like me when I pray!” Spiritually I am too young to read the road signs, too small to see what lies ahead. Yet how often I am guilty of telling God how to run things.

We may make requests, but never insist on having our own way lest we become one of those of whom it was said, “he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul” (Ps. 106:15).

We may pray in simple, childlike faith; urgently, persistently. But we must always pray, “Thy will be done.”

Our Latest

The Bulletin

Saudi Crown Prince Visit, GOP Realignment, and the Performative Male

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll

Trump hosts Saudi royalty, Republicans navigate shifts in the party, and a TikTok trend jokes about masculine sensitivity.

What Do a 103-Year-Old Theologian’s Prayers Sound Like?

Jim Houston’s scholarship centered on communion with God. His life in a Canadian care home continues to reflect this pursuit.

News

The Current No. 1 Christian Artist Has No Soul

AI-generated musician Solomon Ray has stirred a debate among listeners, drawing pushback from popular human singer Forrest Frank.

New Frontiers in 1961

CT considered paperback books, the Peace Corps, and the first man in space.

Mastering Masculinity

Jason Wilson’s rite of passage combines martial arts, emotional stability, and lessons from the Bible.

Wonderology

Fault Lines

Am I bad or sick?

News

Utah Flocks to Crusade Event at Campus Where Charlie Kirk Was Killed

Evangelicals take the stage for worship and altar calls in the Mormon-majority state.

God Loves Our Middling Worship Music

Songwriting might be the community-building project your church needs right now.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube