Frequently, believers will treat God like the magic genie or giant vending machine in the sky. We ask Him to do things just so we don’t have to do it ourselves;  then we don’t have to put any work or effort into a situation.  Husbands and wives will pray for God to make their marriage better, yet they will continue to invest no time and attention into the relationship.  People may be diagnosed with some illness or condition and beg God to heal them and take it away, but they won’t do anything to change their diet, exercise or lifestyle that would improve their health.  Students will blow off studying for an exam, yet earnestly pray for God to help them do well on the test.  There are people who pray and ask God to bring them a job or a spouse, but never go out and look for one! I hate to be the one to break the news to you, but that’s not the way it works.

God will help us. We can ask Him to give us the strength and courage to persevere and do the right things—like dealing with disease, a difficult relationship, or temptation—but He doesn’t just magically fix it or take it all away to make it easy.

— Mark Gungor