Listen

I give thanks to you with all my heart, Lord. I sing your praise before all other gods. I bow toward your holy temple and thank your name for your loyal love and faithfulness because you have made your name and word greater than everything else. On the day I cried out, you answered me. You encouraged me with inner strength.

Psalm 138:1-3

Think

Think of your best friend and how much you talk to each other, share, and enjoy each other’s company. Think of the words that you speak to each other. Your words enhance your relationship, don’t they? Knowing God is having a relationship with God. Prayer is an important part of that relationship.

No relationship or friendship can survive without ongoing communication. God designed prayer as a way for us to be in a real and active relationship with God. Prayer is how we speak to God, and it is also how we hear from God. God wants our communication.

Real prayer is real communication about good things and bad things. Sometimes, when you pray, just pour your heart out to God about what hurts you, about secret thoughts that you have, and even about your fears and your bad feelings.

When you are angry, pray. When you are happy, pray. And give space to hear back from God. Listen and wait to be encouraged with the inner strength to see you through (v. 3). God speaks!

Iyabo Onipede

Pray

God, help me trust that you hear me when I pray. Help me remember to call on you first when I have problems, and help me remember to call on you in the good times as well as the bad times. Amen.

Go

God loves you deeply and passionately. God wants a wonderful and exciting relationship with you. God wants to communicate with you and listen to you. God wants you to hear what God is saying to you today.

Go into today, knowing that you are profoundly loved and that you have a close and intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe because you prayed.