Prayer

Prayer is essential. It is as critical to our spiritual well-being as breathing is to our physical existence.

It is not the form of folded hands, bowed heads, closed eyes that constitutes prayer. The physical position can aid in some prayer by telling other people not to talk to you, or by shutting out distractions, but just as appropriate to other prayer is standing, striding, arms out-stretched, head back, eyes open, and speaking loudly the words in your heart that are expressing what you are feeling. Equally so, prone on the floor, unable to find words capable of expressing the depth of the passion shaking you, in joy or sorrow, compassion or repentance.

Prayer is conversing, on the deepest, most honest, transparent level possible, with God just as you would with another person.

Just as your relationship with that person governs what you say and how you say it, so too does your relationship with God affect what you want to tell Him, and what you -need- to tell Him. You might be catching up with a friend over coffee on the day's events at work, or you may be sharing a troubling burden with a trusted, life-long acquaintance, or you may be mending a relationship through confession, honesty, and apology. We do these things with people in our lives, and we can do these things with the One who has done more for us, and knows us more intimately, than anyone else.

Prayer is not a monologue, a one-sided conversation. No one ever learned anything useful by talking.

When the time comes that all your words have been spoken, then continue the conversation by listening. God has much to say, but He is infinitely patient and will always give you as much time as you choose to take for expressing yourself. When you have quieted yourself, and spend time listening with an open heart and a receptive mind, in the silence of the Spirit you can hear His words, receive His love, feel His acceptance, inhabit His presence, gain His strength, grow in His power.

Prayer is available at any time. God is always available, never so busy that He cannot hear you.

Just as you might greet someone in passing as you see them in the hallway or in the store or on the way somewhere, you can take a moment when you are not occupied, and simply speak His name, repeat it as you would something that is a valued memory. You can breathe, "Thank You," as you wait in traffic, wait in line, wait on hold. When you finally get to the cashier or the person you are calling, they will notice that you have been with God and are not as impatient or frustrated as the ones who haven't had a close, loving, personal friend to spend their time with.

Take the time to develop the habit. Practice it until it becomes second nature. Let God walk and talk with you, develop the closeness and trust that characterizes close friends. The more you listen, the easier you can recognize His voice, and you will see that He is constantly speaking to you with love and strength and wisdom and encouragement.

Father God, thank You for the gift of speaking to You and hearing from You. What would our lives be without the means to communicate with You? Nothing in the day is too small or insignificant in Yours eyes if it is important to us. Help us to understand that prayer is not preparation for the work You have for us -- it is the work You have for us. From that comes the results and responses which You desire and we seek for. If others can say in their heart, "There is no God," then we can and will say in our heart, "Thank You, God!"

4M16G05H