What is prayer?

Prayer is our direct line to God, the Creator of the Universe, the Lord of Lords. We talk to God and He talks to us.  It’s personal communication.  Think of Twitter, Facebook, email, your cell phone, or coffee with a friend. Sharing your hearts. Laughing. Crying. Just hanging out together.  Being open, real, and transparent.

Talking simply and honestly to God with faith, like  a little child.

God cares about every detail of your life, big and small. He loves you. He just wants to be with you!

Just tell God what you need and want.  Tell Him your needs! “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

You don’t have to be formal with God to pray such as, “Our holy heavenly Father, I beseech Thee…..”  (although He is holy, and  He should be treated with respect and honor – cuz He’s GOD!).  Just be yourself; He’s the one who made you and knows you intimately.  Talk to Him like you would your friend – because He is!

You don’t have to pray long prayers or use any kind of “formula” for God to hear your prayers or for your prayers to be effective. Actually, Jesus warned his disciples not to pray repetitious, long prayers:  “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7-8).

You don’t have to perform for God, or get “all cleaned up” to talk to God or to have a close relationship with Him. He loves you just as you are!  And Jesus is the one who will clean you and me up!  Jesus shed His blood for you and me over 2,000 years ago at the cross, so that you and I could be saved and we could live forever with God. Jesus gave His life for the forgiveness of our sins – past, present and future ones!  He  arose from the dead, is now seated sat the right hand of God, and is soon to return!

The Bible says that all who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved, and their whole household. (Acts 16:31) If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord, Savior, and Friend, ask Him today to forgive you of your sins, and He will save you and give you the gift of His Holy Spirit to help you. (John 3:16, John 15:26)  Jesus wants to be close with you, just as He was with His disciples.

Prayer helps us to stay close to and connected with God.  When you pray, you don’t have to be in your bedroom, kneeling beside the bed, folding your hands reverently. Kneeling is good, because it shows honor to God. But God is more concerned with the posture of our hearts.

You can pray anytime, anywhere. You can pray cooking supper, driving in a car, riding on an elevator, showering, taking a walk, hiking up a mountain, skiing, or working in your cubicle.  You can pray in the morning, at lunch, or at night.

Just pour out your heart to God.  Tell Him everything, no holding back.  Lamentations 2:19 (NASB) says, “”Arise, cry aloud in the night at the beginning of the night watches; Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord; Lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones who are faint because of hunger at the head of every street.”

You can pray with confidence that God really does hear you.  “This is God’s Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: ‘Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.'”  (Jeremiah 33:3)  Jesus said to His disciples, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in My name.” (John 16:23)

Hebrews 4:15 (NASB) says, “Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

And as you’re sharing your heart with God, then listen to Him. He will speak to your heart. He will give you instructions for this life – your road map, the answers to your questions, the help you need each day through everything.  Read and meditate on His word, the Bible, each day. The Bible is the very thoughts and heart of God.

God just wants to spend time with you, each day. If you’ve never experienced the joy of being in His presence and praying, know that He’s waiting right now just for you, with open arms of Love.

To learn more about prayer and having a closer relationship with God, check out my book Walking With God.

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2 Comments

  • Reply Tracy Runnels June 6, 2019 at 7:16 am

    Please praying with me. Complete healing over my life.

    • Reply Tracy Runnels June 6, 2019 at 7:18 am

      Please stand in agreement with me. Praying for total healing over my life.

    Leave a Reply to Tracy Runnels