The day I realized my prayer life was just a shopping list for God

I was sitting in my office last week, going through my prayer journal from five years ago. Nwanne, the things I was asking God for. A car. A bigger apartment. A specific salary figure. A wife with these exact qualities. It read like I was placing an order at Shoprite, not having a conversation with the Creator of the universe.

I have counseled so many young people who come to me frustrated that God is not answering their prayers. And when I ask them to describe their prayer life, they describe a transaction. I give God my time, He gives me my requests. The thing about life is, God is not a vending machine. You don't insert prayers and get miracles like pure water sachets. Our people say if you want God to speak to you, you must first learn to be quiet. I spent years talking at God and wondering why I could not hear His voice.

These days I am learning something different. I sit with my Bible open, I write down what I am grateful for before I write what I need. I ask God what He wants from me before I tell Him what I want from Him. It is not easy. My mind still wanders to the unpaid school fees, the car that is making strange sounds, the ministry bills. But I am learning that prayer is not about getting God to do my will. It is about aligning my will with His. Who else is trying to unlearn the transaction mindset?