speaking to my father {day seven}

Today I’m looking at ways that I can be more intentional with prayer.  When I initially started thinking about this topic I struggled a bit.  When it comes to prayer, I quite often find myself feeling inadequate.  I feel like I stumble over my words and get embarrassed and well…..just don’t know what to say.  But a deeper look at this reveals the true problem.  Pride.

When it comes to prayer, so many people (myself included) get wrapped up in what other people think.  I even worry about what the Lord thinks when I pray.  I worry that he will think I’m silly and ill-spoken.  But the truth is that anytime we come to our Father in prayer, he celebrates!!  He WANTS us to talk to him EVEN IF we stumble over our words and faulter in our thoughts.  For me personally, it’s a great reminder that I’m an imperfect human being.  During my quiet prayer times, I often find myself saying, “Lord, you know what’s in my heart, even if I can’t put it into words.”  And what I have to remember is that, He’s okay with that. 

Our Father wants nothing more than to have a REAL relationship with us.  Honestly, can you imagine having a relationship with your earthly mother, father, sister, brother, best friend, or husband and NOT talking to them??  No, we as women want to talk…..a lot and all the time.  😀

That is exactly what God wants from us.  And the sooner we embrace that fact, the sooner we will find ourselves in a deeper relationship with the Maker.  This was a realization that took me a long time to fully see.  And as soon as I stopped thinking to myself, “I wish I could pray as well as that person”….I got over my ego and started really talking with my Father.  The part I’m working on now is the listening.  I tend to pray and then rush right back into life without waiting for a response.  Let me tell you….that’s hard.  But, I’ll get there.

So, today I encourage everyone to go to a quiet place where there will be no distractions and sit quietly.  Then pray.  Out loud.  Just open your mouth and let the words come out.  The Lord knows what’s in your heart and doesn’t expect you to be “perfect” in your words.  He just wants to hear them….coming straight from your heart.  You will be amazed at how freeing an experience it is.