Is Prayer Your Steering Wheel or Your Spare Tire?

Is Prayer Your Steering Wheel or Your Spare Tire? -Corrie ten Boom

This is my favorite quote on prayer. I am always convicted when I am confronted with this simple yet profound question. The differences between these two perspectives on prayer are enormous.

The steering wheel is the guiding force of the vehicle. It helps you make all of the turns and exits you need to in order to reach your desired destination. It can help steer the tires away from danger and potholes that would cause you to utilize your spare tire. How great a privilege it is to have the gift of prayer and be able to choose the foot of the throne as our destination anytime and anywhere. Yet how easy it can be to take this privilege for granted and neglect giving time and attention to the most important relationship we have.

The spare tire is used in emergency situations, and is usually only used for a temporary, short-term fix until a more durable and reliable full-sized tire is added back into the picture. How easy it can be to have the spare tire mentality on prayer. It's a great thing to have in your back pocket and then pull it out when the first sign of trouble or an emergency arises. It is way too easy to carry on with "business as usual" once the trouble or emergency we were faced with has been resolved. I have a hard time pausing and expressing thanks to God for answered prayers in my times of trials and trouble. It is a huge relief when the difficult time or situation passes. Yet, there seems to be a disconnect immediately after that happens. I pray hard in the midst of distress, but am slow to be thankful and acknowledge God as the source of answered prayers.

It is logical that one would pray more often and more intensely when going through difficult times or circumstances in life. I believe one of the reasons we suffer is to remind us of how small we are and to renew our dependence on God. I came to a whole new understanding of the phrase "Pray continually" when I was going through my kidney stone experience a few months ago. There is nothing wrong with asking for help in situations in which it is blatantly obvious there's no way we can make it through on our own.

Spare tires definitely come in handy when you have encountered one of the many literal or metaphorical potholes life has to offer. They are useful, but ultimately spare tires were never intended to be the foundational aspect of the vehicle. In a similar way, we were created to be intimate with and to worship God. I believe we cannot truly accomplish what we were created for unless we make prayer the steering wheel for both the day-to-day and long-term decisions, choices, and directions we are faced with. It is truly encouraging to me that God always has some "spare" time for us as His children. In fact, He is eager to spend an eternity with us. The decision is ours. This is where the rubber meets the road, and we need to proactively choose to make prayer our steering wheel, and send our spare tire mentality to the trash heap! (my apologies to the fine people at Goodyear and Michelin) :)