PRAYER or conversations with God

Prayer is a two-way conversation between a human being and God. It is a conversation between the one who created the universe and you or me—not what I would call two equal people. When we pray, we usually monopolize the conversation. We say what is on our minds, ask for what we want, sometimes remember to say thank-you for what we have received, get our problems off our chest, and then say amen and hang up. We disconnect from God before He can say a word.

We live in an “I want it, and I want it right now” world. We are no longer happy with fast-food restaurants, such as Burger King, McDonald’s, or Wendy’s. We want our food at the drive-up window, and we want it ready, hot, and fresh when we get to the window. If you want a relationship with God—and that is what prayer is all about—do not be so fast. God is as old-fashioned as you can get. His life span is from always was to always will be. You are not going to get God to talk to you on your terms.

We need to be more concerned about what is on God’s heart rather than our hearts. That is going to be tough for some people to swallow. It is true humility and humbleness. This is what the Bible says we are to be about. When Jesus prayed, He did not tell the Father His plan or pattern and then ask God to bless it. Rather, Jesus went to the Father and asked Him for direction. God the Father to whom we pray is never absent. He is never disinterested. He never puts us on hold. We never get a busy signal. He is always there, twenty-four/seven, waiting for us.

Prayer is not just reading our wish list. God is not jolly old St. Nick. Prayer is not reciting a magical formula that will open the vault of heaven, where blessings are stored. God is the infinite Creator. We are finite and created from dust. Prayer is not a conversation between two equals. There is an immeasurable gap between us and God, and we need to be respectful of that. To hear from God, we need to come to Him on His terms, not ours. We need to put ourselves on the back burner when we pray. Prayer is about building a better relationship with God, not about the voice. We have to come to God with the proper motive and not try to fake it. It will not work! He created us. He knows how we tick. He knows more about us than we ever will. He knew us before we were born.

We need to recognize when God answers our prayers, since answered prayer is one of the ways God speaks to us. No matter what the answer is, when you realize that God has answered a prayer, sit back, take a deep breath, and realize what has happened. You spoke to God, He listened, and He answered you. You need to say, “Thank You, God!”

As our relationships with God deepen, our prayers will become more in line with God’s heart. When we are walking alongside God, our thoughts and prayers will be closer to His heart and will more likely receive a positive response. There will be times when God’s answer is no rather than yes. When that happens, should we continue to pray for God to change His answer? Not necessarily. Our view of the future is from ground level. God’s view is greater. He can see farther down the road. What we may be praying for may have adverse effects later. We could be praying for God’s good. He may say no for now so we can enjoy His best later. His no answer is for our best interest because He loves us.

Prayer is about humbling ourselves before God and loving Him. Prayer is creating an active relationship and getting in touch with God. It is about becoming and staying connected with God. When and if prayer becomes a chore, a duty, or just another thing to check off of our to-do list, we have broken the connection. If we want God to open the door to His treasure chest of gifts, blessings, and wisdom, it is important to stay connected to download them from heaven.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they broke or severed the perfect connection with God. Humanity became weak in this area of prayer. No one knows that better than God Himself. Because we are so weak, we need help with this prayer connection. For this reason, God has supplied us with the perfect supernatural connector: the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Prayer no longer becomes a little me here on earth trying to connect with big God, the Creator of heaven and earth, up there somewhere in the high heavens. No, all I have to do is connect with the Holy Spirit who lives within me. My helper is always there. Every time we do not know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit completes our prayer for us. He will assist us, and between the two of us, we have the perfect prayer partnership. There may be times when we have a feeling somewhere deep within us that we cannot put into words, but it seems to be a desire to be connected to God. That is truly prayer. It is not about words; it is about the Holy Spirit and God and our relationship together.