A pivotal scene in one of my favorite movies, It’s a Wonderful Life, includes the hero, George Bailey, sitting in a bar. He is desperate and doesn’t know where to turn. So he turns to prayer.

Prayer as a last resort is common in our culture. We say, “I’ve tried everything else, so I might as well try praying.”

In the movie, although George doesn’t recognize it at first, God hears his prayer and sends help in the form of an angel named Clarence Oddbody.

“Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.” (James‬ ‭5‬:‭13,‬ ‭CSB)‬‬

God does want His children to come to Him when we are desperate, when our hearts are breaking, and our options seem to have run out. He will meet us there with love, compassion, and mercy.

But He also wants us to come to Him when we’re feeling good and having a good day. And when we’re busy or bored or lonely or excited or scared… Basically there is no time that God doesn’t want to hear from me.

Now is always a good time to talk, or sing, to God.

Dear God,

Thank you for meeting me in the painful, dark moments when I finally turn to you in prayer. I’m sorry for the times you are my last resort instead of my first, where you belong. Remind me that you want me to talk to you or sing to you or just sit and listen to you anytime. All the time.