While driving, walking or even riding the train or bus one comes across so many quotes, slogans or signs. Sometimes the quotes, slogans or signs are interesting enough to give a second glance and other times they’re not even worth turning your head. The other day while driving I came across a church sign which went as follows… “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” Indeed, a sign worth a second glance and more!  For you see after having the words resonate within my mind for a while I asked myself, “how many times has prayer been my spare tire instead of my steering wheel?”

When prayer is your steering wheel instead of your spare tire, one can avoid heartaches, pain and suffering. As Luke makes mention, “So listen: Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened for you. All who keep asking will receive, all who keep seeking will find, and doors will open to those who keep knocking.” Luke 11:9-10 (The Voice) Paul gives us another beautiful reminder of the importance of prayer, “Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed. And please pray for me. Pray that truth will be with me before I even open my mouth. Ask the Spirit to guide me while I boldly defend the mystery that is the good news”— Ephesians 6:18-19.

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

Even when I don’t drive past that church, the sign continues to draw my attention. I continue asking myself, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” When facing hardships or when I cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel I recall the words and I’m reminded that prayer makes a better steering wheel than a spare tire.

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?

Major Marie Larrinaga
Assistant Secretary for Spiritual Life Development