Conversation with God
Matthew 6:6 Honest prayer is one of the most important means to spiritual renewal and continuing spiritual vitality. Did you ever long for someone who would listen as you poured out your heart for someone who would listen without interrupting, without condemning, and without telling his or her story in a way that blocks yours? God is such a listener, and prayer gives us this opportunity.
One of Jesus’ themes in his Sermon on the Mount was the problem of spiritual pride and competition. He condemned performing deeds to impress others rather than to express our faith and love for God. This is particular interest in prayer. Who is the audience? If our focus is on others who are listening, we will continually be editing, censoring, and measuring our sentences and expressions. We will be more concerned about what others think than about sharing our hearts with God.
Here is Jesus’ invitation: Come as you are! There is no sense in trying to impress God. While we should always approach God with reverence, we do not need to censor our feelings or “clean up our act” when we come to him. “The Lord is close to all those who call on Him, yes to all who call on Him sincerely” (Psalm 145:18).
This freedom to be honest is especially valuable for our private conversation with God. Even when we are alone, we may be more concerned with “getting prayer right” than with simply conversing with God. But God invites us to come just as we are. Many of the Psalms express very blunt honesty and “uncorrected” emotional expressions before God. Some make us truly uncomfortable in their candor, anger, and vexation, yet all are received by God. One of the greatest blessings in prayer is the freedom to be totally honest.
Putting It into Practice:
When we are truly being honest about our thoughts and feelings, God is ready to hear anything we have to say. What do you need to talk about with Him? Whether you take a long walk or go for a drive or write in your journal, come to your Father, who is always listening, and share your heart with Him.
One of Jesus’ themes in his Sermon on the Mount was the problem of spiritual pride and competition. He condemned performing deeds to impress others rather than to express our faith and love for God. This is particular interest in prayer. Who is the audience? If our focus is on others who are listening, we will continually be editing, censoring, and measuring our sentences and expressions. We will be more concerned about what others think than about sharing our hearts with God.
Here is Jesus’ invitation: Come as you are! There is no sense in trying to impress God. While we should always approach God with reverence, we do not need to censor our feelings or “clean up our act” when we come to him. “The Lord is close to all those who call on Him, yes to all who call on Him sincerely” (Psalm 145:18).
This freedom to be honest is especially valuable for our private conversation with God. Even when we are alone, we may be more concerned with “getting prayer right” than with simply conversing with God. But God invites us to come just as we are. Many of the Psalms express very blunt honesty and “uncorrected” emotional expressions before God. Some make us truly uncomfortable in their candor, anger, and vexation, yet all are received by God. One of the greatest blessings in prayer is the freedom to be totally honest.
Putting It into Practice:
When we are truly being honest about our thoughts and feelings, God is ready to hear anything we have to say. What do you need to talk about with Him? Whether you take a long walk or go for a drive or write in your journal, come to your Father, who is always listening, and share your heart with Him.
For more on prayer, read Matthew 6:7
Letting Go and Taking Hold
Matthew 26:36-46 “If you really have your act together, you will not struggle with following God’s will.” This is a common misperception among believers, and Jesus’ own actions teach that this is not so. Jesus’ final moments before his crucifixion were spent in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. Gethsemane, which means “oil press,” was where the olives that grew on the Mount of Olives were pressed to produce olive oil. This is a fitting image for the pressure Jesus under went as he faces the call to the cross.
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed three times. Each prayer was a step in letting go of things that would hold Him back so that He could take hold of God’s will. The first prayer was an outburst of grief. It was the step of realization, when He felt the full impact of His mission. Jesus shuddered in the chill of death’s shadow. Prayer seemed his only refuge. He longed for his companions to comfort and support him, but they slept.
The second prayer was one of release. Jesus was faced with two choices: If he saved his life, he would lose us, since he would not have achieved salvation for us; but if he lost his life, he would save us. Christ desired to do the will of his Father, and so he accepted his calling to die for us. The Father’s will become his will.
The third prayer strengthened his resolved. It was like the tempering of steel, in which the refined metal is reheated a second time to increase its strength. As a soldier readies himself for battle or a patient prepares herself for a difficult surgery, so Jesus gathered strength from his Father for the task and left all his anxiety with Him.
What we keep from God keeps us from God. What we give to God becomes a channel to give ourselves to God. Prayer enables us to travel the journey from realization to release and from release to resolve. We see this same process at work in the apostle Paul. He also prayed three times for relief from his thorn in the flesh. Each time God told him, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This word enabled Paul to move to acceptance so that the power of Christ in his life could be made clear to all.
Putting It into Practice:
Is there something God is asking of you that is weighing heavily on your heart? ask God to help you move through the stages of realization, release, and resolve. First, allow yourself to feel the full impact of what God seems to be asking. This may lead to tears or other expressions of pain, but trust that God will see you through it. Second, let go, trusting that the Lord wants his best for you. Third, boldly affirm your desire to honor God. You will likely experience a rising sense of grace and power as you do.
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed three times. Each prayer was a step in letting go of things that would hold Him back so that He could take hold of God’s will. The first prayer was an outburst of grief. It was the step of realization, when He felt the full impact of His mission. Jesus shuddered in the chill of death’s shadow. Prayer seemed his only refuge. He longed for his companions to comfort and support him, but they slept.
The second prayer was one of release. Jesus was faced with two choices: If he saved his life, he would lose us, since he would not have achieved salvation for us; but if he lost his life, he would save us. Christ desired to do the will of his Father, and so he accepted his calling to die for us. The Father’s will become his will.
The third prayer strengthened his resolved. It was like the tempering of steel, in which the refined metal is reheated a second time to increase its strength. As a soldier readies himself for battle or a patient prepares herself for a difficult surgery, so Jesus gathered strength from his Father for the task and left all his anxiety with Him.
What we keep from God keeps us from God. What we give to God becomes a channel to give ourselves to God. Prayer enables us to travel the journey from realization to release and from release to resolve. We see this same process at work in the apostle Paul. He also prayed three times for relief from his thorn in the flesh. Each time God told him, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This word enabled Paul to move to acceptance so that the power of Christ in his life could be made clear to all.
Putting It into Practice:
Is there something God is asking of you that is weighing heavily on your heart? ask God to help you move through the stages of realization, release, and resolve. First, allow yourself to feel the full impact of what God seems to be asking. This may lead to tears or other expressions of pain, but trust that God will see you through it. Second, let go, trusting that the Lord wants his best for you. Third, boldly affirm your desire to honor God. You will likely experience a rising sense of grace and power as you do.
For more on prayer, read Ephesians 6.
Praying for Others
Philippians 1:2-11. The blessing that comes from giving (Acts 20:35) applies especially in the area of prayer. God renews our spirits as we pray for others. Our love and compassion grow along with our faith when we come before God on behalf of others. As we pray, often God brings specific ideas to mind to support and help them as well. To paraphrase a great principle of prayer: we can do a great deal for people after we pray for them but little of lasting value until we pray for them.
We can pray for others in a number of ways, especially if we know their specific needs. But we can also request certain things for all people, whether we know them or not. A good example of this is found at the beginning of Paul’s letters including his letter to the Philippians. Paul’s letters often begins with a blessing of grace and peace. Grace is the reason for our salvation, and peace is the result. God’s grace in Jesus Christ brings us new life and peace, both with ourselves and with others. Paul never tired of reminding people of the root and fruit of faith in Christ.
Paul gave thanks to God for the Philippian believers. The evidence of changed lives never ceased to stir gratitude and awe in Paul’s heart. He cherished God’s work in and through others. Paul also expressed his hope and confidence that God would complete the work of spiritual transformation that he had began in the Philippians. This inspiring promise encourages us to press on in the journey of faith as well.
Paul’s prayer thus far includes faith (grace and peace), hope, and love (thanksgiving and affirmation) – the three great keys to spiritual life. Paul then prayed for additional requests to aid the spiritual growth of his friends. He prayed for their love to grow within the community. He also prayed for them to grow in knowledge and understanding of Christ. Lastly, Paul prayed that they would behave in a manner that honored God in the light of the coming judgement. This is not a fear tactic but a reminder to live for the ultimate goal of heaven, not the short term reward of comfort or pleasure.
As we reflect on this letter, we see that all Paul has to say to his friends is rooted in loving prayer. This is an ideal way to open people’s hearts to teaching and ministry.
We can pray for others in a number of ways, especially if we know their specific needs. But we can also request certain things for all people, whether we know them or not. A good example of this is found at the beginning of Paul’s letters including his letter to the Philippians. Paul’s letters often begins with a blessing of grace and peace. Grace is the reason for our salvation, and peace is the result. God’s grace in Jesus Christ brings us new life and peace, both with ourselves and with others. Paul never tired of reminding people of the root and fruit of faith in Christ.
Paul gave thanks to God for the Philippian believers. The evidence of changed lives never ceased to stir gratitude and awe in Paul’s heart. He cherished God’s work in and through others. Paul also expressed his hope and confidence that God would complete the work of spiritual transformation that he had began in the Philippians. This inspiring promise encourages us to press on in the journey of faith as well.
Paul’s prayer thus far includes faith (grace and peace), hope, and love (thanksgiving and affirmation) – the three great keys to spiritual life. Paul then prayed for additional requests to aid the spiritual growth of his friends. He prayed for their love to grow within the community. He also prayed for them to grow in knowledge and understanding of Christ. Lastly, Paul prayed that they would behave in a manner that honored God in the light of the coming judgement. This is not a fear tactic but a reminder to live for the ultimate goal of heaven, not the short term reward of comfort or pleasure.
As we reflect on this letter, we see that all Paul has to say to his friends is rooted in loving prayer. This is an ideal way to open people’s hearts to teaching and ministry.
Putting It into Practice
Select one person God has placed on your heart, and write a prayer for them that includes the elements of Paul’s prayer for the Philippians. Though not all of Paul’s comments will be appropriate (such as having shared in ministry together), be as specific as possible for each element. Also study Paul’s opening prayers in his other letters. What are his persistent requests? What are his different requests and how do these apply to the people to whom Paul is writing? Use these reflections to help you pray for others as well.
For more on prayer, read Genesis 18.