# Episode 123143: 1/11/26 Two Traps

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/sunday-homilies-with-fr-mike-schmitz-614176/episode-123143-1-11-26-two-traps
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/sunday-homilies-with-fr-mike-schmitz-614176/episode-123143-1-11-26-two-traps.md
Podcast: [Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz](https://stenobird.com/podcast/sunday-homilies-with-fr-mike-schmitz-614176)
Published: 2026-01-10T17:45:00+00:00
Episode link: https://fathermikehomilies.fireside.fm/123143
Audio file: https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/1b1273a3-3711-4e9f-b187-36a4f8791359/53a39a79-99fb-46c2-9e23-1a6e8e881b0c.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/sunday-homilies-with-fr-mike-schmitz-614176/episodes/episode-123143-1-11-26-two-traps
Duration seconds: 573

## Resource

True relationship with God requires abandoning the need to direct His actions or impress Him with perfection. This reflection explores how to move from being a self-appointed advisor or performer to resting in the identity of an adopted child.

## Highlights
- Main idea: Prayer should be an expression of trust and need, not an attempt to manage God's decisions
- Failure mode: Treating God as a counselor by presenting Him with a 'to-do list' rather than surrendering to His will
- Practical takeaway: Use prayer to reveal your heart and desires while simultaneously letting go of the 'clipboard' of expectations
- Main idea: The identity of a baptized person is that of an adopted child, which removes the pressure of spiritual performance
- Failure mode: Approaching worship with the same perfectionism found in work or school, which stifles authentic connection

## Topics

Baptism, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Christian Identity, Trust in God, Catholicism, Humility, Ordinary Time

## Chapters
- 0:00 — The Season of Growth: Reflecting on the beginning of Ordinary Time as a period for spiritual growth and the significance of the Baptism of the Lord.
- 1:00 — The Trap of the Counselor: An examination of the temptation to approach God as an advisor, attempting to direct His hand in our personal crises.
- 2:00 — Petition vs. Direction: Distinguishing between bringing honest needs to God and trying to impose our own will upon Him.
- 4:00 — The Humility of John the Baptist: Using the example of John the Baptist to illustrate the importance of setting aside the role of advisor to embrace the role of servant.
- 6:00 — The Trap of the Performer: Discussing the pressure to be perfect in all areas of life and how that can mistakenly bleed into our prayer lives.
- 7:00 — Finding Rest in Adoration: A story of a student finding peace in the one place where perfection is not required: the presence of God.
- 9:00 — Embracing Your Identity: A final invitation to pray as an adopted child who trusts in God's love without the need to perform.

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## Transcript

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