This is a story about prayer. As much as we may call our character Max, let us consider how our prayers compare to Max’s.
Max believed prayer worked like Safaricom bundles. You top up with a few “Amens,” hit “Dear God,” and wait for the results. Quick and efficient—just like sending Mpesa.
So one Friday night before youth service, Max prayed:
“Baba God, please make there be chips and chicken at church kesha. Also, let Shiku notice me today. And ehh… if possible, no math CAT on Monday. In Jesus’ mighty name, AMEN.”
He even ended it with that proud, deep voice the worship leader uses:
“Ahhh-MAAAAYN!”
But nothing worked.
- There was no chicken, only strong black tea and maandazi.
- Shiku didn’t even wave—she borrowed Max’s pen and gave it back to Brian.
- The CAT still happened—and it was hard. Like KCSE hard.
Frustrated, Max sulked all the way home on a loud matatu with flashing lights that only played Gengetone. He stormed into the house and asked Shosh, “Eh, kwani God doesn’t check messages ama what?
Shosh smiled gently, turning off her gospel radio.
“Maxie, prayer is not like Fuliza. You don’t just request and expect an instant answer.”
“But I said ‘In Jesus’ name’! Isn’t that like pressing SEND?”
She chuckled, “Ebu come, I show you something.”
She opened her Bible and read:
James 4:3 – “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…”
“You think prayer is about pizza and crushes. But God is more interested in your heart than your hunger.”
That night, Max had a wild dream.
He found himself at the gates of Heaven’s Prayer Posta. Angels were busy sorting prayers like Huduma Center workers on a Monday morning. One angel opened Max’s prayer:
“Please, Lord, just make Shiku see I’m the one.”
The angel squinted.
“Aki, selfish vibes—RETURN TO SENDER.”
Another prayer came in:
“God, I don’t know what to say, but help me know You.”
All the angels smiled.
“Ndio hiyo! Approved. Straight to the Throne Room!”
Then Max saw one of his own prayers land in a bin labeled:
“Blocked – Sin Pending Repentance.”
Another floated mid-air with a tag that read:
“Not yet – Chill kidogo.”
Then a voice thundered:
“Max, I’m not your boda rider. I’m your Father.”
He woke up sweating under his mosquito net.
The next morning, he didn’t even ask for pizza in his prayer.
He knelt beside his bed and said:
“Baba God, I’ve been treating You like a vending machine. Teach me how to pray Your will. Teach me to listen. And if there’s chicken tonight—sawa. If not—niko tu sawa.”
Moral of the Story?
- Prayer is not like Okoa Jahazi—you can’t fake it and expect results.
- God checks your heart condition, not your grammar.
- Jesus is not your glorified delivery guy—He’s your Saviour and Lord.
- Sometimes God says: Yes. No. Or Bado kidogo.
- Prayer is less about the words and more about the relationship.
🔎 Key Scriptures:
- James 4:3 – Wrong motives
- Psalm 66:18 – Unconfessed sin
- 1 John 5:14 – Praying according to God’s will
- Romans 8:26 – The Holy Spirit helps us pray
- Isaiah 55:8-9 – God’s ways are higher than ours
See you in your next prayer – like I can even be there!
