Is America's God just a genie in a bottle?

According to a 2007 Gallup Poll, 80% of Americans “identify” with the Christian religion. A University of Toronto sociologist recently delved more deeply into this statistic by comparing and contrasting the results from two recent surveys of Americans and their beliefs about God. Some result highlights:
• 82 percent of participants say they rely on God for assistance and guidance when making decisions.
• 71 percent said they believe that good and bad experiences are part of the Creator’s plan.
• 61 percent believe God has ordained their direction and course.
It seems that God is supposed to run our lives and that most Americans SAY they are content to let God lead while they follow; that God is in charge … “Let go and let God” That God knows best.
Then again, maybe not …
Who among us has spotted the flashing lights coming up behind our vehicle and then prayed … NOT to get the speeding ticket? Admit it, have YOU prayed that a parking place in front of the post office will open up NOW to prevent a long walk on the hottest day of the year? That it won’t rain and therefore ruin trick-or-treating? To win the lottery? To lose ten pounds? For that raise? Against your child's opposing basketball team?
Americans seem to pray for and about practically EVERYTHING.
When the citizens of this mighty nation surge into battle on the football field or in a karaoke contest or for the next big job promotion, we pray to come out on top. We don’t leave it up to God unless - or somethimes even if - we absolutely have to. If two Christian schools meet in a basketball tournament and both pray for victory, is the triumphant team closer to God? Better loved by God? More acceptable to God? What about when a secular school defeats a Catholic school?
Why do we constantly plead with, beg, importune and nag God to alter our circumstances, change our luck and miraculously protect us from the rightful consequences of questionable actions while simultaneously professing that God should be in charge of our lives?
Is it because deep down, we really don’t trust God to just bring it on? Or is it because we think of the Almighty more like a genie in a bottle – a wish granter? A benevolent father who can be manipulated by a smiley face and a pretence to obey? A Santa Claus Entity who, after receiving ample buttering up (praise and adoration) alongside a constant drone of “Please, please,please,please …” (prayer) might change His/Her mind about what the future was going to bring?

Children innocently pray for the tooth fairy to bring a dollar instead of a quarter; for a puppy; for a little brother instead of a little sister. But for those of us over 18, why do we continuously and continually attempt to interfere with or rearrange The Plan?
Wonkissima is not questioning a prayerful fight against cancer or trying to change the things we know are wrong in life, like brutality or family violence. But, as it states in the Serenity Prayer, why can’t we learn to recognize the things we can’t change and let them be?
What if our lives would actually turn out better if we did?
How much prayer is "gimme"? How much prayer is "THANK YOU!" ??
Is “Go with the flow” actually the ultimate Christian principle?