it has taken me years to get to a point where i pray, and pray often. for some people, praying is hard. they believe it has to be laid out, there must be a formula for praying to God. but it's actually quite the opposite. Jesus already knows your heart, He knew you before you were created, before the Earth was formed, and still He knows your name. He is with you and knows how you are feeling, what you are going through and He knows what you need even before you ask Him for it.
praying also is not just for asking for things, it is a conversation. we can talk to God about anything, but thanking Him for all He has done, and what He has given you is also very important. if you had a friend who only talked to you when they needed something from you, how would that make you feel? that's how God feels when all you talk to Him about is what you need, and then don't say anything the rest of the time.
we must keep the line of communication open. conversation goes two ways, and if all we do is pray to ask for things, we are closing the line of communication and not even giving Him a chance to respond. spending time in prayer is so important, just being in His presence is so amazing. the fact we can have an open line of communication anywhere we are without having to do anything is pretty incredible. i mean, that's how you know that God is a God of love. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to reconcile the relationship that was broken when sin entered the world. since Jesus came and reconciled our relationship, we can now talk to Him any time and remain in His presence.
sometimes, i can't say anything at all when i am praying. i just sit still and listen. calm my heart and mind and just wait on God. other times, i talk so much and so fast that sometimes, i forget that He can talk back. that's why it's important to take quiet time in order to hear what HE has to say to US.
also, first hand, i know that prayer works. when you do ask for things from God, He hears us and wants to answer our prayers, in His timing. even if our prayers seem silly, "Lord, please help me find my keys" or "God, please help me find a parking space" He answers them. and when He does, we need to remember to thank Him for answering our prayers. sometimes when we find a parking space after saying that prayer, we just think "YES" and move on with our life. but if we prayed for that, even though it was simple and silly, to God, He gave you that parking space because He loves you. we have to thank Him for that.
aside from silly things, God answers big prayers too. our God is all powerful, He is not limited to this world and the rules of this world. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD. no matter how big something may seem, God is bigger. He has the power to change any situation, no matter what it is. first hand, i have witnessed this. and sometimes it takes years, but when you are faithful through everything, God is faithful too. my family is still together and still here, even though we have been through some of the toughest situations. we are still here. God works, and prayer works. i have also witnessed healing right in front of me and been a part of praying for a person to be healed, and they were. that's how i know that prayer works and that God is real.
i hope this post encourages you to work on your prayer life with Jesus. just know that even if you aren't praying, or communicating with Him, He's still with you regardless. all He wants is to talk with you, have a relationship with you, and He wants to give you the desires of your heart. all you have to do is ask. He loves you so much, He has proven that and He proves that over and over.
once you open that line of communication, i hope you're ready for anything
in omnia paratus
