Talking with God

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything”(Philippians 4:6)

We have all experienced important relationships in our lives. These must be nurtured and valued or they deteriorate. Communication and time spent together are critical parts of maintaining a relationship with someone. It’s the same way with God.

As we juts learned, God’s primary method of communicating with us is through His Word. We communicate back to God through prayer.

Often times, new Christians feel inadequate in their ability to pray. They may have listened to a pastor or a Bible study leader offer a smooth, effortless stream of theologically packed terminology in prayer. They consider themselves ill equipped by comparison and feel like it might be years before they could “learn how to pray.” I think it is helpful to realize that even the most eloquent and artfully constructed prayers do not impress God. He just wants you to share your heart with him (Philippians 4:6-7).

Real prayer is not repeating a formula or a set of prescribed “magic” words that are said over and over (Matthew 6:7). Neither is it saying the laundry list of things we want God to do for us, or fix for us, or change for us. God understands we become concerned and worry about things and that is why He tells us to come to Him. The Bible tells us instead of worrying about things, we should bring our requests before God with thanksgiving and He will fill us with wonderful peace. God also desires our praise and adoration. He wants us to recognize His greatness, the beauty of His creation, and His great love for us. God wants you to examine your heart and tell Him about your weaknesses and your failures, to admit it when you mess up, and then to ask Him for His forgiveness and His heal in the future (Psalm 139:23-24). These are just some of the things you can bring before God in prayer. Use the words you would use if you were talking to a friend. Communicate to God the way you communicate, and your relationship with Him will grow.

Communication with God through His Word and communication with God through prayer are the first two corners of your faith foundation.