Prayer - A Unique Conversation

Prayer is one of the greatest resources we have. But many people find it hard to get into it. Basically, prayer is turning one’s heart and mind toward God, and then beginning a conversation. This conversation, much like the conversation we would have with an earthly friend, could involve many varied expressions. Given though, that this “conversation” is with our Creator God & Loving Heavenly Parent, there should be other dynamics occurring within this prayer as well (including worship & praise). However sometimes, because of the way we feel, it just seems so difficult to begin this conversation. This could be because we are enduring a period of stress, bewilderment or loss. Sometimes, rather than praying, we are just wishing for this difficulty to be over. This tends to reinforce the habit of trying to deal with problems by ourselves, rather than fully allowing God into the situation. We need to remember that God is always available to us, and we don’t need to be eloquent, or have all the right descriptions of how we feel; just be prepared to focus on God and place our trust right there. Sometimes we will just remain silent in God’s presence, appreciating being there – waiting for understanding and new perspective to arrive. Paul’s words to the 1st Century Church in Rome (Romans 8:26-27) are very encouraging here.
God’s Spirit – the Holy Spirit – placed within us, will empathise with our situation, interpret our need, and guide us appropriately (in terms of God’s best will for our lives). God’s Spirit knows where we’re at, knows what lies behind our wordlessness, understands our deepest needs, and wants to lead us forward. The Holy Spirit helps to shoulder our burden. The Holy Spirit connects with our humanness and draws this towards God’s purpose for our lives. This is all a part of the process of becoming a new person in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17). As we begin to relax in this trustful appreciation of God’s company, we can then allow God’s Spirit to lead us into more verbal expressions. However, prayer should always be seen as a “two-way street” – not just a one-directional communication; like any good human conversation, there is more than one party actively involved. This “ultimate prayer partner” accepts us, loves and cares for us, is on our side, is committed to our welfare, even knows us better than we know ourselves, values us, and desires the best for us. God is also the fount of all wisdom. No matter how things look at times, we can be assured that God is actively working in the lives of those who have responded in loving faith. It is comforting to know that the Creator of the Universe wants to be very personally involved in the details of our life. The tangled webs and problems of life, together with the disappointments and failures, can be transformed in these creative hands of God.
Keith McClellan (in a little book called “Prayer Therapy”) wrote: "Prayer begins in a restless heart. Listen to its stirring." Abraham Lincoln said: "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day". God does want us to gain new insight through our prayers. If we need guidance, if we are at our wits end, then God says to us what was said to Jeremiah of old (33:2-3): "Thus says the Lord … Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known".