Jason Silver

Friday, June 13th, 2025

Self Reliance or Prayer?

One thing that came up in our devotional today was the notion of dependence and self reliance. The author suggested that dependence on God is at the very heart of a consistent prayer life.

I thought this was important enough to share with you. I hope you find it enlightening.

So let's ask the question of products: how dependent are we on God? If we are not making time in our life for prayer, it is possibly because we're depending on our own strength rather than on God's?

Do we see ourselves as able to provide for all our own needs spiritually, relationally, financially and materially?

I am convinced that our actions betray our true beliefs. We can say all the right words, tell ourselves we believe all the right things, but if we don't live them out, then our true preferences are exposed.

When I tell myself I don't have time for prayer, or that I'll make time later, am I actually exposing my self reliance?

I want to rely on God. I want every breath in to be like breathing in the Holy Spirit. I want every breath I exhale to be a silent prayer of dependence on him and prayer for all he's done. When I am in time of need, I want my first thought to be god, and my first action to be prayer.

When I'm tempted to meet my own needs, to work too hard, to put God second, to choose comfort over discomfort, to trust instinct over discernment, those are the times I hope instead to kneel before Him in penitence and dependence.

Lord, help us to rely on you alone.

Amen