Remedial Prayer Class

Remedial Prayer Class

God enjoys spending uninterrupted time with His kids.

This requires us to stop with all the distractions and pay attention to what He has on His mind.  This is one of those concepts that sound a lot more fun than actually doing it.

Think about this, you have an appointment to spend 30 minutes with the most wise person that has ever lived.  You get to ask anything -- talk about anything -- get feedback on any topic.  So when you walk into the room and sit across the table from this amazing person -- you open your mouth and don't shut up until it is time to leave.  And you never -- not for a moment -- stop talking long enough for the other person to respond to any of your thoughts or questions.

Then to make this illustration more absurd, as you walk away, you shake your head in disgust because you didn't learn anything.  The whole experience was shallow and apparently ineffective.  

Welcome to most people's prayer life.

Have you ever babysat a 3 year old?  Jabber jabber jabber.  The word "Why?" is asked at least once in every breath of air and the words are so rapid-fire that you don't have an opportunity to respond.

Imagine how God feels.  The Creator of the universe -- sitting on His Great Throne, pleased that one of His children is coming into His presence to spend some time.  Then jabber jabber jabber.

For some reason, we have the idea that the Creator of the universe is in need of our advice on how to answer our prayers.  Does that sound absurd to anyone else?

"Our Heavenly Father, hallowed be Thy name.  Be with us today as we...." -- ask yourself this, is it possible for you to go somewhere that God can't find you?  Why do we ask God to be with us when He is everywhere, watching everything, at all times?

I'm on a roll so be patient with me.  How about our prayer where we name our requests -- then go into detailed instructions on how we want God Almighty to handle them.  Is there a chance that He knows more about answering prayer than we do?

OK - relax - I am done being sarcastic.

So exactly what does God want from you in your prayers?

Tell me this.  What exactly do you want in a conversation with your wife / husband tonight?

Honesty?
Humility?
Humor?
Expressing concerns?
Expressing doubts?
Expressing affection?
Expressing appreciation?
Thoughts about pain?
Thoughts about issues?
Thoughts about suffering?
Thoughts about relationships?

I could go on but for the most part, I hope I have nudged your thinking toward a healthier conversation with the good Lord.

And finally, it is ok to stop talking and listen for His influence.  God's Spirit will nudge you in a direction, lay something on your heart, move your thoughts toward Truth, point out something that needs corrected....

Your "spiritual-takeaway" is.... slow down and enjoy your time in God's presence today.  Don't be in a hurry.  Ask yourself, "What do I know about God?"

I have a challenge for you:
Pray for 10 minutes -- share your honest thoughts with God -- and don't ask for anything.  Simply share your thoughts and -- don't forget to thank Him for whatever God's Spirit brings to your mind.  Go slow.... relax

"Be still and know that I am God"
Psalm 46:10