On Our Knees: A 5 Day Devotional on PrayerSample

Prayer Is Intimacy with God

It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that prayer is formal and religious, but the Bible reminds us that, from creation, God has always desired to walk and talk with us. It makes me think about my relationship with my wife, Mallory, and how we are intentional about connecting just to talk about our day amid all the busyness of life. Those intentional moments are what help keep us close and strong.

Some evenings we will take a walk in the park with the dogs to catch up, check-in, and simply be together. I can imagine that was exactly God’s intent for His strolls through the garden to talk with Adam and Eve. It makes me realize that I have to be intentional with God in the same way.

As I learn more about prayer, I’m rediscovering that the God of the universe wants to have a conversation with me every single day. The God who formed me and breathed life into me also desires an intimate connection with me. I’m learning to lean into conversations with God and leave out the prayer formulas. I’m getting better about just talking to Him about everything. Sometimes it is as simple as, “I know you were there with me today, but that was a really hard moment. ...” Or, “Can you believe how crazy today is, God?” I think He meant for us to pray like that. These talks with God are often the best moments of my day. And every time I make that effort to speak with God, I’m amazed to find that He has been waiting for me all along to open my heart in prayer. The creation story reminds us that we were designed for intimacy with God, so I want to be as intentional about praying each day as He was about strolling through the garden with Adam and Eve.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help me remember that You are here to walk with me and talk with me each day, just as You did with Adam and Eve in the garden. Remind me that You are ready to listen, even during the busyness and distractions of my day, and that You care about every detail of my life. Amen.

RESPOND

What does it mean to you to know that you are created in the image of God and that He desires a relationship with you?