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Praying Only When It's Convenient

Don't go ridin' on that long black train

Megan Showers

Nov 07, 2016

Iowa State University

1588

Huffington Post

I recently came to the realization that I have been practicing the nasty habit of only praying when it's convenient. When something is going wrong, when someone is sick, when I need something I find myself bowing my head to pray. I never thought that I would find myself in this situation in my life where I was putting God second to everything else; praying only when I needed something from Him.

I grew up in church; my family attended church every Sunday (morning and evening) and Wednesday nights. We participated in Christmas and Easter productions. We prayed at every meal. My dad was a youth leader. Our favorite song was "Showers of Blessings" and our library is filled with Bible stories.

As we grew older and high school homework and activities took over our lives, church was put on the back burner and eventually my faith was too. I no longer read my bible or wrote in my journal. I no longer attended youth class and I avoided my youth pastor at school at all costs. I didn't want to talk about why I was never at church or what was going in my life.

It continued when I attended college at Iowa State University. Sure, when I applied to Iowa State I checked the small, square box declaring my denomination. I received weekly emails from my church urging me to attend their services and events. I vaguely remember bowing my head to pray once or twice (but again, it was in desperation of my wants); and I attended church twice, but different churches separate from my denomination. I had so many opportunities to find my faith again in college, but again sat idly by until I started needing Him again.

I have never denied Him. I have never worshipped anyone, but Him. I have never put other Gods before Him. But, I have unintentionally shoved Him to the back burner moving him forward only when I needed Him most.

From now on, I won't just pray when it's convenient for me, but I will seek God with all of my heart.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." —Hebrews 11:6

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Praying Only When It's Convenient

Don't go ridin' on that long black train

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!