"Pray without ceasing."
- I Thessalonians 5:17

It just kind of stays neatly packed away most of the time.

In fact, I usually don't think about it at all, unless I find myself in some kind of jam.

The spare tire on my truck is bolted in underneath the frame.  I'll be real honest with you.  I don't even know exactly where it is down there, and I certainly don't know how to unbolt it should I need it.

You see, since purchasing my truck about a year and a half ago, I haven't needed it.  I bought the truck with only 15 miles on it, so the tires were perfect.  I've simply not had a need for the spare tire.  It's reserved for emergencies only.

And, like I said, I usually don't think about it at all.  I'm just glad to know that it's there when I need it.  Otherwise, it doesn't get much of my attention.  I only pull it out when it's time to change a flat.

You know, many people treat God like a spare tire.  You guessed it, they keep Him neatly packed away most of the time.

Some folks don't really think much about Him at all...

...unless they find themselves in some kind of jam.

And then, it's time to "unbolt" God and put Him to work.

It's very sad, but most of the time they just don't really see a need to pray to God.  Prayer is  reserved for emergencies only.  Yeah, they only pay attention to Him when there is a crisis or problem that they want him to fix.

My friend, God isn't a spare tire.  And He certainly doesn't like being treated like one in our prayers.   He doesn't want us to give Him our attention in prayer only when troubles come along.  He wants our attention ALL THE TIME!

What about it, Christian?  Has God been reserved to "spare tire" duty in your life?  Do you pray only when you have some emergency that you want Him to take care of? 

Maybe it's time to change a flat this morning. 

A flat prayer life.