This world often offers ‘the world’, through marketing their products, the allure of a quick fix or by making attractive but empty promises. In contrast, less lofty, more realistic and trustworthy promises only show themselves to be true, over time.
Recently, I had a conversation about misinformation; something that is all too common in a world where the richest, most powerful people dominate the speaking platforms. Those who control the narrative don’t always give a full, accurate, honest or unbiased picture of their position/product/promises.
The conversation on misinformation originated over the slogan,
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”.
During discussions with friends about reducing my eating window, three people told me:
“Jo, it was Kellogg’s who ‘sold’ this notion about breakfast.”
Oh! As a child, I unthinkingly swallowed these marketing lies/mistruths/whatever you want to call them, as easily as I swallowed Kellogg’s cornflakes. I took them as gospel. As an adult and one trained to master’s level in critical thinking, I realise the only thing that is gospel, is the gospel! Subsequently, I no longer swallow the ideas/opinions or bias of people without rigorously testing them first. I want to know whose opinion it is, why they are expressing it and what expertise they are basing their narrative on.
The world uses all kinds of tricks and promises to sell their version of ‘the world’ to us. I’ve lost count of the number of adverts claiming to make our lives perfect if only we buy whatever they are selling. In our instant, ‘I want it – please deliver it now’, culture, we have become spoiled in to thinking we can have whatever we want, whenever we want it if willing to throw some cash at it.
Back in real life, life continues to unfold on its own terms. Good, bad and mundane happens to every single one of us, regardless of what car we drive, the size of our bank balance or anything else. And we all do our best to navigate the hard times that remind us of our vulnerability and shared humanity.
Sometimes, we distract ourselves from our problems with scrolling on Facebook, ordering from Amazon, eating, drinking, smoking or anything else to distract or numb the unavoidable pain that life can bring.
In contrast, when something gives us a good feeling, we often want more of it! This is basic human nature; mine, yours and ours!
But it is not only the destructive habits that can leave us wanting more. I have always loved Pringles; strong flavour, good crunch factor, novel tube rather than a bag. Tick, tick, tick. However, I am also wise enough to know that as one who is lacking in self-control, I cannot cohabit with Pringles!
The advertising for Pringles offers one of the most honest straplines I have ever heard,
“Once you pop, you can’t stop!”.
It is true!
I can never remember the scientific details of what salt/additives/crap that pringles are filled with that is designed to make us go back for more. But I know through my lived, pringle-devouring-experience, that this is true for me!
Unfortunately, pringles are not the only sugar or salt filled snack that I can’t stop shovelling once I have started!
But, back to the fact that it is not only destructive habits that offer us a good feeling, which we want more of.
And this is where prayer comes in.
Like with pringles, I cannot remember the scientific facts that evidence the constructive impact of prayer on the body. But I know it is so. And my own life experience has seen me rigorously testing the efficacy of prayer over twenty one years.
I have learned:
- God is not like Amazon; we cannot order and expect to receive whatever we want, whenever we want it. There is certainly no guarantee of a next day delivery
- God’s timeline is vastly different to ours. This can look and feel like our prayers have disappeared into the abyss. Until we see the results
- God hears every single prayer, but he has his own way of answering
- Sometimes the biggest disappointments of unanswered prayers are God’s protection and redirection away from that we cannot see and towards that which only reveals itself in time
- If it matters to us, it matters to God
- Prayer has been scientifically proven to make a positive difference to people’s wellbeing
- Prayer is not only for the big crisis events, but for all the daily challenges
- God is creative and can answer prayers in unexpected ways
- God is always listening and awaiting our prayers
Prayer does not have to be a huge super spiritual affair. It can simply be chatting to God about what you like and what you don’t! And most importantly, what you would appreciate his help with.
Prayer does not necessarily give us what we want, when we want it. But it reminds us that we are not alone. It can inspire hope that there is a force greater than us within the world which we can call upon for help. The act of prayer uplifts us. And it connects us to others when we pray for those we know are struggling. It reminds us of our shared humanity … vulnerability reminds us of our need for one another. And it may cause us to seek for greater meaning and spiritual insights that exist way beyond the world of materialism.
Prayer is free 24/7.
But be warned that once you commit to this as a practice, it changes you in a way that makes you want more. Not instantly in the way of the Pringle, but slowly and gradually as you start to see, to feel and to know that prayers are being answered.
Prayer is a non-negotiable part of my day and the more I see prayers answered (often for others), the more I want to talk to God and call upon his help. Which is a lot healthier and more helpful than turning to and indulging in Pringles or the like, when life gets tough!
Prayer is to the spirit what physio is to the body. When you make a consistent effort to do your part, you feel the benefits over time. This is in stark contrast to a world that promises we can have whatever we want, immediately, if only we throw some money at whatever is being sold.
Prayer is for all.
And the one who hears and answers, is FREE!
Unlike much of this world, God does not promise to make our life a wonderful, rainbow -only filled experience. He is honest enough to tell us what we don’t want to hear ie that tough times come to all. But what he does promise is to always be with us and help us to learn and grow through whatever we face. An offer which remains open for a lifetime. And unlike most of the world’s offerings, including Pringles, it doesn’t only give enjoyment in the moment. Instead, it gives a sense of calm in the moments in between prayer too – and we get to decide how short or long we want those moments to be. Maybe based on how long that calm state lasts!
If you are curious, either pop a prayer card into the box at Bites n Breezes. Or come along to meet Shalom Ministries at the Arlesey Fayre on Saturday 5th September. And of course, you can simply pray yourself and see what happens. Over time!