Question
What is prayer?
If I were to define prayer in a few simple words, I would simply say prayer is communicating with God. I have noticed as a parent, as a husband, as a friend, and as a son, that communication is key in all my relationships. If I don't communicate with my children or my parents, I quickly lose touch with them. If I don't communicate with my friends, I don't know what's happening in their lives on a regular basis and I feel distant from them. If I don't communicate with my wife, well let's just say, it is as though "the gates of Hell are prevailing." The biggest fights in any of my relationships have been because of lack of communication.
All relationships are based on communication. When communication is happening there is clarity in understanding, whether I like what is being communicated or not. I have found I often communicate well with the people I care the most about because I have taken the time to learn of them. I long to talk to them and to listen to what's on their mind. It's like a thirst that is unquenchable. I can't get enough.
However, I am also an avoider. When I don't like the things that are being communicated or I don't know how to communicate with someone, I avoid communicating. I am also selfish and have found my communication is hindered by my own selfish-desires.
Consider
I have learned a few things about communication I would like to share with you.
1st - Communication takes time and effort.
2nd - Communication is not one sided.
3rd - Communication involves as much listening as talking.
4th - Communication is vital to a healthy relationship.
James 4:1-10 says, "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Apply
How is your communication with God? Have you drawn near to Him? If so, He promises to draw near to you. Have you humbled yourself before Him? He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Spend this day taking the time and effort to communicate with God. Don't just talk to Him, but listen to Him.
In Christ, Bryan
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