As a parent, I experienced different stages of conversation with our son over the years. I actually began speaking to him, and about him before he was ever born. In the first few years, he communicated his wants and needs in various ways. It is so fun to experience this stage of innocence. So trusting, and always learning with such eagerness.
We went through the “non stop talk” elementary school years, to the silent “reflective” preteen period, the “selective” teen conversations, and currently the “life is busy so” so quick shotgun blast of need to know basis only information is the norm. I totally understand.
So, just spending time with him is most precious to me, but conversation wise, those early years helping our son learn and grow in wisdom and unconditional love are treasured. (That is why Grandchildren are so “grand!”)
With all that said, which stage is your current prayer life with God?
Maybe, the question should be, “What is the purpose of prayer?”
To get our needs met? Or to pray for others? All good things but consider this, what did Adam and Eve have need of?
No hunger, sickness or lost souls to pray for in the Garden of Eden.
Yet, Genesis 3:8 declares that God sought out Adam and his wife in the cool of the evening to spend time with them.
I recall years ago, while driving down Hwy 288 near Lake Jackson I started out thinking about the Lord, talking with Him and singing to Him, but somewhere my thoughts were misdirected to errands I needed to run. My brow furrowed as I began to feel a little anxious because of time constraints on the day.
Pretty soon I had drifted away in my own thoughts.
Suddenly, in my spirit I heard my Heavenly Father call out from what seemed a great distance, “Adaaaam, where are you?” His voice was so soft and sweet and yes…. playful.
I laughed and answered, “Here I am.”
The main purpose of prayer is connecting with God, loving Him and having a two way heart to heart conversation. My main purpose it to be near Him, and most often I find Him when I’m reading my Bible. (And I find many questions answered as I meet Him there, reading His word.)
God does not want model prayers. How would we react if our children had walked in the room, sat down and said, “Oh father, mother how art thou? Please find it in your heart to feed me today, please provide all of my needs. I don’t want new shoes, just go to the trash pile and find any old pair, that will do. And please don’t abandon me in my time of need?”
You know, I believe many of you reading this have, or have had this concept of God at one time or another. Me too, and begging Him to intercede and help, or informing Him how great the need is all the way down here on earth. A bit afraid to strain our relationship by asking for the best, so just stick to the basics.
I remember the fist time I ran to Him (in the spirit) with open arms, and cried out “Papa God!!” It was the night I was born again, December 1996, when I met me Heavenly Father who has loved us all of our lives, but now I was finally free to love Him back. Like a child. Child like faith. Child like prayers.
Or, what if your children simply sat at the dinner table every night, and chanted the same thing over and over..
We would think they had lost their mind.
God wants our hearts. Not repetition. And we all have fallen into that at one time or another. Religious habits. All kinds. (Again, I have.) Some came from the traditions of my upbringing, some I made up along the way.
Prayer is communion with God, all day, constant two way communication with Father God. The Lord is speaking to us all day, we just need to learn to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd. (The Holy Spirit will always exalt the Lord Jesus, and He will never speak contrary to the word of God.)
But, the only way to the Father is by His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Know the Son, know the Father, and by the power of the Holy Spirit become one with Him.
Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com
