As programmers, we are likely familiar with the “rubber duck”. The idea that just voicing your problems to somebody, even to just an inanimate object, like a rubber duck, can be helpful.
Why?
Why is this helpful?
It is usually clear how talking to somebody else can help us. Sometimes when we are working on problems, we get lost in the weeds. We start going down rabbit holes that we really do not need to go down. An impartial outside party can help us see this, and help reign us in to focus on the more important pieces that we have neglected. Another pair of eyes can easily see things we have missed.
Sometimes, when we just step back and re-organize our thoughts, we can see some of that by ourselves. And we never had to interrupt anybody else!
Actually speaking out loud forces us to organize and re-structure out thoughts. Simply going through this organization process can have the desired effect of stepping back and looking at the problem with refreshed eyes, with a new perspective; seeing some things we have missed before.
God?
Now, why bring God into this?
It struck me that the rubber duck practice is actually similar in some ways to prayer.
One of the answers to why God wants us to pray, even though He is omniscient and already knows what we need, and what we want, is so that we realize what we really need, versus what we want. When we have to stop and say our prayers out loud, forming into language the sometimes vague and cloudy notions in our minds, we realize what we are actually asking for. It can make us re-evaluate what we are asking for. Or at least organize our thoughts on it into a more coherent form.
It can also raise questions. Do I really need to ask God for this raise, when my family is already well provided for? Maybe it would be better if I ask that they continue to be provided for, and I continue to have the strength and fortitude to provide for them, to protect them, and to guide them. We take the step back that allows us to refocus.
Prayer
How much more powerful would it be if we took our work problem to God? Ask the creator of the universe why this thing is not working correctly. Open ourselves to getting His input on the problem. Maybe, just maybe, we would see better results if we actually invite God into our work day, and share our problems with Him, rather than our speechless idols!