Prayer is
something that everyone sees differently, understands differently, uses
differently. I asked some people if they had to summarize prayer into a
sentence to tell someone, anyone, what would they say… this is what I got.
Prayer is a dialogue with God, not only talking to God but also listening to him. A two
way conversation
Prayer is an ongoing, intimate
conversation with God.
Prayer is a conversation between two friends. The
purpose is to understand and get to know each other better, just like talking
to a trusting friend.
In the last couple of days I have been trying to
read in my bible about prayer, and see what the scriptures say, what I have
learned is that God is there, he is listening to what you say, he may not answer
right away, but he is there. He will answer, for the scriptures say in Matthew
7:7-8, Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for, keep on seeking
and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who
knocks, the door will be opened.
This doesn’t mean that if we pray every night
asking for a perfect score on a test, that it will happen. I learned that God
responds to wisdom and love. That what glorifies him will be answered, and
isn’t every little thing we want.
But the major thing that I have read and learned, and
had it repeated by different people… is that that Prayer is more than simply
asking God to give us what we want. It’s living, active, and powerful
communication with the LORD. My study bible gave me an analogy, have you ever
seen two people who are friends, and they spend a lot of time together, they
become more like each other, they may talk, act, and possibly think a lot
alike. They are becoming more like each other. So, if we are spending time with
God in prayer, it is the intimate two-way conversation between you and a
trusting friend. You are going to become more like Him. Or look at it this
way,… I personally have had it that when I am around a group of people, they
tend to sway me to talk like they do, whether I notice it or not, and well, I
think that it is the same with God. If I spend more time with him, then I will
be veering towards Him in our relationship, than if I am not spending that time
with him.
I know that I have to be willing to let prayer
surround me, it can be so powerful., but I have to let it be, and be willing to
open my heart and let God speak to me. We can get to know each other, even
though he already knows so much about me, He still wants me to talk to Him,
tell Him my hurts, fears, excitements… everything. So in the next couple of
days I am going to challenge you, and myself. Not only to pray to God and to
pray for yourself, but also to pray to Him about others, the person sitting
next to you, or your co-worker, etc. And you can pray about numerous things…
for someone to understand God’s will, gain wisdom or spiritual understanding,
to honour God, bear fruit, appreciate God, or to be filled with his love, and
joy, and to be thankful.
