By Jake McCall

My son, who is 20 months old, has entered into a stage of desired independence. This, in its highest form, plays itself out at the dinner table. Regardless of what’s for supper, Samuel Jake wants to feed himself.

I notice his misery when he is trying to shovel macaroni and cheese into his mouth, but just before it reaches his mouth, he tilts the spoon just enough for all of it to fall in his lap.

When I see that he has gotten one piece of macaroni in his mouth and 100 others are on the floor, on his chin, or in his lap, I offer to help him, but he refuses.

Now there is a part of that determination that should be commended, and he will improve, I hope, but that picture also represents who I am and who some of you may be.

One of the most powerful gifts given to us by the Creator of the universe is prayer. Throughout scripture, God has promised us communion with him through prayer.

He has also promised us that it would be a way in which he does things. This means the things that happen all around us today will be God’s response to prayer. That is amazing to think about. God didn’t have to do that, but he chose to be relational with those he created. He has chosen to carry out his work in relational ways.

So, why don’t I pray? As I really think about it, it comes down to two reasons: First, I believe that I’ve got it together enough to figure out how to get through today and go on to tomorrow.

Second, I really don’t think that it will accomplish much. The first one is pride, and the second one is unbelief. Both of these issues are at the core of my fallenness, and both of them make me sadly like my 20-month-old son who refuses his father’s help.

Prayer is a calling to humble ourselves, admit our weakness, admit our lack of control and give praise to the one who can do all things. God is our Father; we are his children. Go to him and let him feed you.

—Jake McCall is a religion columnist for The Clanton Advertiser.