How To PraySample

Keep the Conversation Going: Relationship

Prayer as religious ritual is difficult to maintain. It requires constant self-motivation. But if prayer is your opportunity to talk to the God you love, then you will keep coming back. 

In writing to Christians who were suffering because of their faith in Jesus, Peter reminds them of why they are holding strong: “Though you have not seen him, you love him” (1 Pet. 1:8). They were able to keep going because of their love for Jesus. This generation of Christians had never met Jesus, but that did not hinder their love.

In Psalm 27, David says the one thing he desires is to dwell with the Lord forever. This is the kind of longing that drives a consistent prayer life. Prayer for prayer’s sake rings hollow because it is hollow. But if prayer is our connection to the God we love but have never seen, then prayer becomes natural, conversational, and non-negotiable. 

Conversation is inherent in relationship. Since prayer is what we label our conversations with God, prayer is inherent in our relationship with God. It’s probably not too much to say that if there is no prayer, then there is no relationship with God. The converse is also true: If there is no relationship with God, there will be no prayer. 

Prayer begins when we follow our impulse to talk with God. Prayer becomes habitual in our lives when we foster those impulses, when our relationship with God becomes fully conversational. Prayer will only be a burden when your longing to speak with God disappears. 

Note: As with any ongoing practice, consistency is difficult to develop. Consider using the Echo Prayer app to organize your prayers and remind yourself to pray regularly. Echo is available in the iTunes and Google Play stores.