Study 4. Responsive

Let’s keep going with these studies and ideas on prayer. To be honest, it’s easy to create this picture of prayer as something always incredible—you close your eyes, retreat to a secret place, and spend hours reflecting. In that moment you imagine the sound of waterfalls around you and a gentle breeze brushing past. Everything feels perfect.

But the reality? You’re probably busy at work, doing your best for yourself and your family. And only when the wheels have fallen off does the thought come: “Hmmm, maybe I could pray about it?”

Prayer is more than just a responsive, in-the-moment thing—but it is also a responsive, in-the-moment thing, and that’s OK. I’ve found myself on the edge of a punch-up with some angry people, or in physical danger, or when one of my kids has hurt themselves, and the “responsive prayer” kicks in. Responsive to the moment, the immediate situation we’re in is a great way to talk to God. “Help, God!” “I need you to save them, rescue us, get us out of here now!”

But unlike a friend who gets fed up when we only call in an emergency and then sulks or avoids us, God is bigger than that. If you speak to Him—even if it’s only the emergency stuff—He is there. But prayer is a relationship. So, while responsive prayers are valid and important, prayer is designed to be about much more than just that.

In today’s Bible verse, you can see Jesus using responsive prayers. In my opinion, some of the most profound moments of prayer in Jesus’ life are like this.

In His most desperate moment—facing false arrest, brutality, and His own death—Jesus calls out to His Father in heaven.

It’s a great example of responsive prayer, but it’s built on a relationship. Jesus had prayed, found that secret place, and developed a pattern of talking to God.So much so that Jesus knew God’s will. His prayer shows this foundation—a relationship and lifestyle of prayer. “Not my will but yours be done.” In other words: “Help me! But I know what You have called me to do, so let’s do this.”

Maybe your prayers are mostly emergency calls right now—and that’s OK. But if you’re looking for hope, peace, direction, and a steady presence of God in your life, then prayer needs to shift into second gear. Keep the motion and momentum going.

Driving around in first gear all the time doesn’t let you enjoy the experience or get the most out of it—not the best example, I know, but I’m a petrol head. The point is, prayer unlocks more of this “God relationship” in your life. But don’t dismiss the responsive shoutouts—they’re all part of it.