Following JesusSample

Following Jesus means learning to pray

Have you ever watched a baby try to put a square peg in a round hole?

It’s not because of a lack of effort that the baby can’t get the two to fit. He has tried and tried with no success. The problem is the child doesn’t understand shapes, so he isn’t enjoying the toy the way it was designed. 

If we’re honest, this is how many of us treat prayer. We’re banging our desires against God’s will, and growing frustrated that the two don’t seem to fit. Then, when prayers aren’t answered the way we think they should be, we find ourselves wondering, “God are you even listening?” 

Like the baby banging the square peg against a round hole, what if the reason we’re getting frustrated is because we only understand part of what prayer can be?

Telling God what we need isn’t bad. But telling God what we need is only part of prayer. 

Matthew 6:8 says our Father knows what we need before we ask Him. It’s not the list of needs God is looking after, it’s the time with His sons and daughters. We pray to deepen our relationship with our Father, not to get what we want. Prayer is a conversation, not a performance. 

Just like you talk to your friends about ordinary things as well as your hopes and dreams, God wants to hear how you felt when you received that text, what it’s like to grow up in your neighborhood, and how you felt about your date. 

God wants to communicate with you about all the things. Because the more you spend time communicating with Him, the deeper the relationship grows.

There’s no formula when it comes to talking with God. Your words are precious to Him, and He wants to hear from you in your own unique way. God knows what's in your heart, and He wants to talk with you about it. That’s what it means to pray. 

Reflect: 

• How does it change the way you think about prayer to think about it as a conversation? 
• Is there anything you’ve been hesitant to talk to God about? Try Him. Take a few minutes to tell God what’s on your mind. Be sure to leave some space to listen to what He might want to say back to you. 

If praying is difficult for you, begin by finding a quiet place with no distractions. Turn off your phone, close your eyes, and think about God. Once your mind is quiet and your heart is focused on Him, begin to speak out loud like He’s sitting across from you.