).png)
Prayer – Conversation with God:
The underlying dynamic of intercessor prayer is that of a conversation. We are in a relationship with God that involves give and take, our response to his invitation, a sharing of life. Jesus used the affectionate word “abba” to refer to his Father when he prayed. We can address God in the same intimate way because we are his children. Prayer is a natural outcome of this close relationship and wholesome conversation with God. The essential activity of prayer springs naturally from our humanity. It is a matter of conversing with a very good friend. Although prayer begins with simple conversation with God. “Conversar” means “to converse,” “to talk with.” Its simplest meaning in English is sincere talk with another person, the kind of comfortable, satisfying conversation whereby we truly get to know someone else. Ignatius must have been a master of this kind of conversation. Prayer is conversation with God, which is simply talking to God and listening. There are times we may feel far away from God. Perhaps because of sin or mistakes we have made. Poor decisions and disobedience bring regret and can weigh heavy on our minds. A simple prayer asking for forgiveness ends that feeling of separation from God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” I John 1:9 (NKJV) Jesus has no desire to condemn us. He loves us and longs to communicate with us through His word and our prayers. The Lord loves mercy and His amazing grace is given to every one of us. “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” Matthew 9:13 (NKJV).
If we will always remember that God is ever merciful and always for us, never against us, then we will talk with Him. Often times we like to avoid telling God about pain and disappointments, but the way to actually be closest to God is when we are willing to deal with these emotions in prayer. As we know, holidays can be a joyful time, yet there are also a lot of painful emotions or memories that we want to ignore. We can use these times to actually be close to God if we decide to be honest rather than hide. We will pray. And prayer changes our journey with the Lord. Prayer develops relationship, and communication is essential for building healthy relationships and understanding. Without fellowship and communication, we don’t know who a person is, nor are we familiar with any aspect of their character. God delights to have a conversation with His children, since praying doesn’t have to be difficult. There is no magic formula for praying, however, just talk to God from your heart, be sincere, and open your heart and mind to His voice. Prayer is a two-way conversation; it is our talking to God, and His talking to us. As a Christian, you have a heavenly Father who hears and answers prayer. “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” Matthew 21:22 (NKJV). Every man or woman whose life has counted for the church and the Kingdom of God has been a person of prayer. You cannot afford to be too busy to pray. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. Jesus Christ spent many hours in prayer. A close friendship with God starts with honest prayers. The only way to start connecting with God is when we are willing to be honest about the areas of our heart that we avoid. Sometimes He spent the night on a mountaintop in solitary communion with God the Father.
The most generic and fundamental definition of prayer: the conscious adoration of God. We might say it is expressed adoration. Adoration manifest. It is the communication of our minds and wills with God with whom we adore. Prayer is conversation with our adorable God. And my favorite definition, prayer is the voluntary response to the awareness of Gods’ adorable presence. Prayer can be audible or silent, private or public, formal or informal. “Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part” (Andrew Murray). Many people associate prayer with asking God for things. But that’s only a part of prayer. Of course, He wants you to tell Him your needs, but He also wants you to just spend time with Him telling Him about how things are going in your life. Tell the Lord that you love Him and how thankful you are for all the good things He sends your way. Tell Him all about your dreams and desires, problems and questions, and He will give you strength, inspiration, reassurance, so that you can be more victorious is your purpose. But there’s more to prayer than that. Jesus also wants to communicate with you, to talk to you. He wants to tell you words of love and encouragement, and He wants to help you with your problems. He has all the answers, if you will listen. You can learn to recognize His voice when He speaks to your spirit and puts thoughts in your mind.
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God” Psalm 42:1–2 (NKJV) ? “I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning” Psalm 130:5–6 (NKJV).“At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth experiences Your judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” Isaiah 26:9 (NKJV).“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” Hebrews 10:19–22 (NKJV).