Our lives are filled with noise: the morning alarm, the shower, the traffic, the ringing phone, the television, the dishwasher, the dog barking, the conversations, our self-talk in our thoughts. There is always something trying to get our attention. We want to read the Bible and pray but our day gets away from us and we find ourselves late at night praying as we drift off to sleep. It is not uncommon. God understands our distractions. Jesus even understood distractions. He had flocks of people calling to him, asking him for things (remind you of your family?) and Jesus had the answer. In Mark 1:35 Jesus left his disciples very early in the morning and went out to a desolate place alone and prayed. Many times, Jesus withdrew to be alone and pray to the Father. To have a relationship with any other person, one has to spend time listening to them and responding to them. We wonder why we don't have the relationship with God that we desire, but do we treat God differently than we would another person we want to know.
Listening to God is done by spending time reading His Word, the Bible. It is His love letter to us and teaches us His ways and how He wants us to live. Most of the first half of the Bible is history of the people of Israel, and books about God's plans for the future of God's people. Psalms (songs) is good for when you are distressed. I always find comfort in the book of Psalms. Proverbs is a book of wisdom and instruction and gives us godly advice and direction. They are found in about the middle of the Bible. In the last half, called the New Testament, there are accounts of when Jesus lived on the earth, and the early church. The book of John is a beautiful book about Jesus and tells much of His love for us and how He provided for our forgiveness by taking the punishment for our wrong deeds (sins). The books called the epistles are letters written to people in the early church about living a godly life. The Bible is a precious gift that God has preserved to help us in our lives.
Talking to God, or praying, is just a conversation with Him. The Bible says He is the Creator of all things and supreme over all things and we must acknowledge that He is who He says He is. Asking forgiveness for our wrong deeds is important because we are accountable to God for our actions. Thanking God for all the good things in our lives is essential. There is always something to be thankful for. Then, we present all our anxieties and needs to the Lord. Pray for problems to be resolved, for Him to meet your immediate needs, for your family and friends, and for your growth. Like a child grows to adulthood, we grow to be mature in our confidence in God. We trust Him to help us and He does.
Rise from prayer and know GOD has everything in control. Think of it as handing over your basket of concerns to One who understands all and has your best interest at heart. Leave it in His hands and go about your day with confidence in God.
We all need Someone to rely on. We need a relationship with God, as much as we need the blood in our veins to live. To know Him, is to really live. His arms are wide open...
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