“…and pray one for another…” James 5:16

Just Pray

Walk His Way Revisited

I have been thinking about prayer lately and how it works in my reality. I am realizing prayer is not a religious exercise, a ritual, a “to do” thing, or a chore to be checked off. It is not a duty. It is not an obligation. Prayer is my deep and intimate innermost conversations with God.

A lot of us feel guilty about prayer. We don’t pray often enough. We don’t pray long enough. We don’t have the “right” words. We’re just not good at it.

When I am alone and still before Him, it is amazing what things pour out of my heart. I find God to be closer to me than any human on this earth, even those I have deeply loved for many years. He knows me like no other. I don’t understand my own heart, but He does. He sees the ugly, the shameful, the weak, and the complacent. He sees the talents and gifts He has given me. He sees who I am and who He is making me to be. He sees my motives, good and bad. He understands my crazy places and the secret things I hide from others. When I am fearful or anxious, He is my peace. When I am overcome with out of control emotions, He centers me and restores sanity. And knowing all this and more, He loves me relentlessly.

I can tell Him anything. When I am in His presence, I don’t have to hide things, keep secrets, or pretend I am something I am not. I can be just who I am. I don’t have to be clever or convincing. I just have to talk to Him heart to heart. He is listening.

Many times it is through prayer and time spent alone with Him that I come to understand a direction for my life or a solution to a dilemma. Sometimes He tells me something that doesn’t immediately make sense to me, but I know it will unfold in a conversation or perhaps be confirmed by evolving circumstances. He confirms His whisper to me in Scripture. He communicates with me.

Prayer flows out of relationship with a God I have come to believe, a God I am getting to know, a God I trust. I talk and He listens. He talks and I listen. I know He loves me and I know I love Him. Relationship. Prayer.

I am not always in that serene and quiet place. As the day begins to ramp up, I can talk to Him as the things of my day arise. I can drive and pray. I can work and pray. As I hear of a need or remember a friend, I can say a quick prayer. Prayer is like a continuing conversation that ebbs and flows between friends. I can resort to that place of prayer even when on the go. He is listening.

So be encouraged and just pray in your own way. Anyone, anywhere can do this. He has made it simple. No guilt, no condemnation, no rigid standards impossible to attain. Just talk to Him. Relationship. Prayer. He is listening.

Father, it is an amazing thing that You have made Yourself so available to each one of us. Fix our eyes, our hearts, and our thoughts on You. May we often and frequently and consistently speak to You about anything and everything. We love how You love us! Amen.