Talk to me

If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. (James 1:5)

I used to pray a whole lot of 'open-ended' prayers. I would just ask God to move - not really all that specific in my requests. I found it didn't lead to a very deep relationship between us. Think about it - if you had a close friend and never talked about anything but the weather or the stock market trends, would your relationship grow any deeper? Not likely. You might be 'up to speed' on current issues, but never really learn what the other needs. There is something about being transparent with each other that helps us develop that depth. 

This kind of depth requires an ability to put things out there - to really open up before him. I know that makes some of you squirm a little because you don't like to do that with anyone! It took me a while to realize I could be 'bold' with God. That doesn't mean I tell God what to do, but I do express my frustrations, fears, and hopes. I put my plans out there and sometimes I hear a loud 'amen' deep within my spirit; at others I feel a deeper sense of caution. Is that sense of caution really God showing me my 'plans' are not specifically his 'plans' for me right now? It usually is!

There were things I didn't think God needed to talk with me about, but I was totally wrong with that one. God loves to just hear how things are going for us, what we feel is going well, and what we know we need some help with because we have been struggling to get anywhere in that area. It isn't just the 'issues' he wants to hear about - it is also what we realize is going well. That is a form of praise in our prayers. When he hears us acknowledge the goodness of life, it warms his heart. When he hears us share the challenges or rough areas of life, it moves his heart to act.

Prayers are nothing more than 'solid communication' between two individuals who are deeply in love with each other - God and You. If this is the case, we will be bold. We will lay things out there, believing he has our best in mind when he responds. We won't always like what we hear, but if we want consistency in our walk with him, we need this kind of bold openness. The heart sometimes is burdened by things we shouldn't even be pursuing - hearing we have been pursuing the wrong stuff may sting a little, but when acknowledged and laid down, what freedom that brings! Just sayin!