Talks with God: 4 Things I’ve Learned About Prayer
I’ve learned some things about prayer over the last year or so. I’ve always been around prayer, always had talks with God, and over the years my own prayers have changed and grown. But what I’ve learned more recently is more about what we think prayer should look like versus what God wants it to look like. So let me explore a little of that today.
4 Things I’ve Learned About My Talks with God
1.) Being Specific is to be Genuine
There’s a notion out there in Christianity that we have to be extremely specific with God. On one hand, you don’t want to be so vague in your prayers that they mean nothing at all. But what do we really mean by being specific? If we don’t use the right words, will God not understand? If we don’t spell things out crystal clear, does that mean the prayer will miss its mark? Are we praying or casting a spell?
I mean really, do you think the God of the Universe could misunderstand us? Or do you think that if you don’t use the exact right word, then the prayer might miss the target phrase God is looking for in order for Him to act the way we want Him to?
So often people treat prayer as if it’s a magic spell – say the wrong words, use the wrong inflection, forget to use a key phrase, and the spell will be broken and whatever ‘spirit’ we’re trying to coerce to help us won’t be held to any contract with us. Doesn’t that sound like witchcraft rather than a prayer to the Almighty Father?
Related Post: There’s Nothing Wrong with Simple Prayers
No, prayer is a conversation, a dialogue. You’re specific and genuine in the way that you are when a real friend asks you how your day is versus your response to a passing acquaintance who asks you the same thing.
You might tell your friend your day is fine… but you got stuck in traffic and were almost late to work or your child is sick and missed school today, or your dog had to see the vet and wow the price of special diet dog food is outrageous these days.
You share yourself with your friend. It’s not the shallow response of “I’m fine, see ya” that you might give to a person you barely know.
When you’re in prayer, you’re sharing yourself with God. Don’t be surface level. Be genuine.
2.) Be Worshipful, Be Reverent
Music is one form of worship, but it is not the only form of worship. Prayer ought also to include worship. Worship can also be sitting quietly and meditating on God, on Who He is, and on His Word. Spend time praising God for who He is. Engage. Be fully immersed in the prayer and worship time.
3.) Be in Faith
We are to pray in faith, knowing that God is capable of doing all things. However, praying in faith also means that we place the results in God’s hands, knowing that God will carry us through no matter how God chooses to answer.
We can pray in faith, asking for healing, knowing God can heal, but also knowing that if God chooses not to heal He will at the same time wrap us in His grace and carry us through the coming storm. That is the sort of stability that God promises His children.
When we don’t pray in faith, that’s when we start to doubt. We might ask for God to heal, but what if His plan is different? What if He chooses not to heal? Does our faith waver in that instance? If so, then we weren’t praying in faith that day.
Related Post: Do Our Prayers Make a Difference?
4.) Be Attentive
Pause and listen for God’s answer. When you’re praying, God will answer. It’s not a monologue. It’s a dialogue between you and the God you serve.
You might even have a pen and paper nearby where you can write down the impression you get of what God is teaching you during your prayer time. You might be surprised at the results.
Join the Conversation
What have you learned about prayer lately? How has your prayer life grown since you were first saved? Does your prayer time look the same now as it did a few years ago?
From the Desk of Sherry Chamblee
Pray with Color
A prayer journal is helpful to keep us on track each day. They give us something tangible to look back on, to help us remember those answered prayers, and keep our minds focused. This prayer journal includes 31 days’ worth of questions and lined pages, as well as a simple coloring page for each day. Sometimes we need to pray using all our senses, and art draws on a deeper part of our soul. Even simple coloring can help us connect with our creative Creator on a deeper level.
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