I realize that some of you may not know how to pray and/or feel uncomfortable doing so. Therefore, I’d like to take a moment to offer a few helpful pointers. Prayer is simply a conversation between you and God. Like many new conversations, it can be awkward at first, but the more you do it the more natural it becomes. You do not have to be perfect, or prepare long elaborate prayers with big words, or be extremely knowledgable in scripture, etc. Just talk! Recognize Who you’re talking to and talk. Thank Him. Praise Him. Tell Him what’s on your mind. As you position yourself to initiate conversation, He will meet you where you are. Ask Him to open your ears to hear Him…yes, He will converse with you if you take the time to listen.
Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). He is a patient Father who hears. Think of a toddler beginning to speak for the first time. A good daddy leans in close and listens intently. He also begins to help the child sound out the words and put the sentences together. This is what your Heavenly Father will also do with you as you begin and continue to draw near unto Him. Do not be afraid to come to Him as a little child.
Ask Jesus to teach you to pray the same way the disciples asked Him to teach them (Luke 11:1). Notice they didn’t ask Him to teach them how to heal people or to raise them from the dead or to walk on water or to turn water into wine; they asked Him to teach them to pray. Interesting! Why do you think that is? Perhaps they understood prayer was where all the power was. We have access to power, folks! Unfortunately, though, very few ever tap into this power because they refuse to take time to pray. Just do it!! ?
“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” ~Corrie Ten Boom
The God of the universe wants to have a relationship with you!! Yes, you!! This concept is so very difficult to believe at times; and yet, that is all we are required to do is to believe it.