People praying for gas prices to lower. Don’t get me wrong, I wish gas prices were lower, but it’s not something I’m going to get on my knees and ask God for. That’s the kind of backwards thinking that bugs me so much about the Health Wealth Gospel of American Christianity.

I liken that petition to such phrases as: God, please give me a bigger house. God, please give me a Hummer. God, please make beer cheaper.

I wish God would reach down and bitch slap people across the face some times. Honestly, I think I could use a good Godly slap in the face every now and again.

Here’s my suggestion: Rather than praying for God to lower gas prices, I would pray for God to grant us the creativity to get around these perceived problems. Take responsibility, use your brain, consume less.

When I read this article, linked from this Treehugger article, I almost gagged. Have people forgotten that there are millions of people in the world that don’t even have safe drinking water? And you’re praying for God to lower gas prices so you can return to your comfortable suburban lifestyle? Get over yourself.

I’m pretty sure God didn’t send his only Son, Jesus, to earth so that we could live comfortable uninterrupted lives. In fact, I remember such stand out stories about asking a rich young ruler to sell all his possessions, another quote about, “not having a place to lay your head”, and my favorite, ” (paraphrase) do not worry about what you eat or drink or the clothes you wear or how much gas you have…”

By no means are the current prices of gas comfortable to me, but there are bigger fish to fry in my prayer life. Sounds like some folks are in danger of some serious oil idolatry.

Questions, Comments, Concerns??? I’d love to hear ‘em