June 19, 2018

” Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God.”  Philippians 4:9

Present your requests to God.  Isn’t that what prayer is all about?  God, I need. . . !  God, I want. . . !  God, can you. . . ?  God, please change. . . !

I often find myself praying those one-sided prayers and then wonder why I feel like those prayers just float around in the air.  Like blowing on a dandelion and making a wish as I watch the puffy seeds float away.  God, I wish. . .

Why do I pray like that?  Habit?  Lack of time?  Shallowness?  I don’t know, but I don’t want to pray in that default mode.  I want my prayers to be a real conversation between me and my Lord.

I want to talk to God with a humble heart, knowing that He is my only source of strength and joy and peace.  Recognizing that I am a sinner He has saved by His grace.

I want to talk to God with a thankful heart, knowing that everything I have is a gift from Him.  Grateful for everything – good and bad that He allows into my life because there is purpose in it all.

I want to talk to God with a child-like heart, expectantly waiting for an answer while tugging on His pant’s leg.  I want my upward focus to be on Him because I know He is my Abba Father.

When my prayers are about my relationship with Him, there is a richness in my prayer time.  I no longer feel like I’m wishing.  I know I am communicating with my God who hears me and answers me.

Lord, you are Jehovah Roi – The God who hears.  You know when my I’m just wishing for something and when I’m coming before you with open hands and an open heart to tell you what is on my mind and waiting for you to answer me.

You hear my words when I pray out loud and you know my thoughts when I pray silently when no one else is around.  I love you, Lord.