There’s an old famous question that was asked by Corrie ten Boom, a Dutch Christian author and Holocaust survivor. She asked, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?”
I had not heard of this until recently when I was at a banquet, and the speaker referenced this quote. It made me really pause when I heard this because I had to ask myself this question and how it pertains to my own prayer life.
It’s easy to cling to prayer in times of stress, worry, fear, and grief. Am I steadfast with my prayers and faithful when I’m not stressed, lost, and worried? Am I faithful when life is going well, or am I a fair-weather prayer warrior? Do I cling to the Word of God more when it’s convenient and comforting?
I think most people of faith find themselves questioning things at times. I pray all the time. I call on God daily for grace, peace, health, protection, forgiveness, happiness, and safety. I pray daily for peace in the turmoil of our world. I pray with my children and husband every single day. But am I more intentional with my prayers when I need something? Do I pray hard when things are going well, or am I going through the motions? I honestly don’t know. I certainly don’t want that example for my children, but I am human. I’m flawed. Everyone is.
I don’t know if that question that was posed by Corrie ten Boom was really meant to have an answer. When I heard it, the amount of thought and reflection it gave me in my own life was enough to make me realize that if I must question the answer that much, my prayer life might be sincere and frequent, but also in need of more intentionality and purpose.
I think this is something that God wants for us. I think he wants it for me. I feel that God is challenging me with this and purposely had me hear this question, so that I reflect on my own prayer life and make a point to be more intentional. I continue to need God’s grace and forgiveness. We all do.
How about you? What is God wanting for you in your own life? Is prayer your steering wheel or spare tire?
Megan Rathz is a wife, mother, and teacher. She says everything she has ever learned in life came from her Master Gardener mother.