Most of us grew up hearing one important lesson: “Take everything to God in prayer.”
And rightly so. It is one of the greatest habits a Christian can develop.
But somewhere along the way, many of us unknowingly became more focused on what God could do for us than on who He is to us. Without realizing it, our relationship with God became transactional.
Think about it. When we first learned that God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, everything seemed exciting. We prayed for things and somehow, many of those prayers appeared to be answered quickly. You needed something. You prayed. Boom. It happened. Simple.
Then you grew older. Your relationship with God became deeper. Your understanding matured. But something changed. The prayers seemed to take longer. Some weren’t answered when you expected. Others were not answered at all.
And if we’re being honest, some of us became disappointed. So disappointed that we stopped praying with expectation. Some stopped praying altogether. Others still pray, but mostly out of routine. Just going through the motions.
Permit me to be a little “preachy preachy” in this article. 😄 I promise there is a reason.
THE FRIEND WHO ONLY CALLS WHEN THEY NEED SOMETHING
Let me ask you a question. How would you feel if you had a friend who only visited when they were hungry? Or a friend who only called when they needed money? Every call starts with: “Hello, how are you? By the way...” 😄
How many times would you be excited to see that person’s name on your phone?
Exactly.
Could it be that sometimes we treat God that way? The moment we need something, we suddenly become spiritual. Prayer warrior mode activated. Scriptures flying left and right. Fasting schedule released. 😄 Then the moment things improve, communication reduces significantly.
GOD WANTS RELATIONSHIP, NOT TRANSACTIONS
The truth is that God wants more than transactions. He wants relationship. He wants intimacy. He wants us to know Him personally.
Not just as the One who blesses us. Not just as the One who solves our problems. But as our Father. Our Friend. Our Companion.
In fact, Scripture compares Christ’s relationship with the Church to that of a husband and wife. That is how much God desires closeness with us. A relationship. Not a business arrangement.
What if we spent time with God beyond our prayer requests? What if we talked to Him about our day? Thanked Him for the things we usually overlook? Asked His opinion before making decisions? Shared our joys, frustrations, fears, and dreams?
And before somebody says: “But talking to God like that sounds strange.”
No, it isn’t. That is fellowship. That is exactly what He desires.
WHAT CHANGES WHEN IT’S NO LONGER TRANSACTIONAL
Something beautiful happens when your relationship with God moves beyond transactions. You begin to trust Him differently.
When you submit a prayer request and your timeline comes and goes... you don’t panic. You trust Him.
When the answer doesn’t come immediately... you trust Him.
When His answer is different from what you wanted... you still trust Him.
Because your confidence is no longer in His gifts. It is in His character.
DAVID WALKED WITH GOD, NOT JUST TO HIM
David understood this. The Bible describes him as a man after God’s own heart. Not because David was perfect. Let’s be honest. David made some serious mistakes. Some very serious mistakes. 😄
Yet what made David different was his relationship with God. David talked to God about everything. When he was happy. When he was sad. When he was angry. When he was frustrated. When he was afraid. When he had failed. When he had sinned. He kept coming back.
That is one reason I love reading the Psalms. You can almost hear the relationship. The honesty. The vulnerability. The fellowship.
David wasn’t just talking to God. He was walking with Him.
DON’T RUN AWAY WHEN YOU FAIL
Many of us do the opposite. The moment we make a mistake, we run away from God. We hide. We feel ashamed. We avoid prayer. Avoid church. Avoid fellowship. As though God suddenly became unaware of what happened. 😄
Meanwhile, the Bible tells us:
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
God already knew our imperfections before He chose to love us. He has given us His Word. He has given us His Spirit. He has made Himself available. Not because He wants servants who occasionally send requests. But because He wants sons and daughters who know Him personally.
LOVE HIM BEYOND THE BLESSINGS
So love God beyond what He can give you. Pursue Him beyond the blessings. Seek Him beyond the breakthrough. Desire Him beyond the miracle.
After all, let’s be realistic. You can never outgive God. There is absolutely nothing you want for yourself that God cannot provide far beyond your imagination.
So don’t treat Him like a divine ATM. And don’t treat Him like a heavenly sugar daddy. 😄
Love Him for who He is. Know Him. Walk with Him. Fellowship with Him.
Because at the end of the day, the greatest gift God can give you is not stuff. It’s Himself.
When the blessings fade, the relationship remains. When the answered prayers are delayed, the relationship remains. When life doesn’t make sense, the relationship remains.
So build a relationship with God that can survive both abundance and silence.
Because God was never looking for users. He was always looking for relationship.
And since this article somehow turned into a sermon... 😄 it is now offering time. Hallelujah! 😂💰🙏🏾
Is your relationship with God mostly requests, or mostly fellowship? Tell me in the comments. 👇
God values His relationship with us more than what he can do for us. This is so true. Sometimes I believe God even holds back some of our desires or maybe delays them sometimes because once it's granted... piaam... We are gone. Like the prodigal son, we come back again when the going gets rough. So if that need or desire will keep you in His presence, why not? That's why He already told us he will not allow any temptation that will overcome us. Abii God has tried. 😂. See you next time.