God is not a cosmic bellboy for whom we can press a button to get things done.

The metaphor rejects the idea that God exists to run errands on command. By comparing God to a “bellboy,” Fosdick critiques a view of prayer that treats the divine as a service provider: press the right button (say the right words) and receive the requested result. The saying implies that authentic religion is not about manipulating outcomes but about transformation—shaping character, conscience, and perspective—and about participating in purposes larger than private convenience. It also challenges entitlement in spirituality: faith is not a contract guaranteeing comfort, but a relationship that may involve discipline, moral responsibility, and acceptance of limits.