#3 Prayer is talking and listening with understanding

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. – Psalm 17:6 (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  – Philippians 4:6-8 (NIV)

Psalm 30, Matthew 11, Luke 18, John 6 and on and on…our Father God tells us He wants to spend time with us, listen to us, teach us, encourage us, and yet I struggle to make time in my day for Him! Seriously?

There was a time in my life when I felt so very alone. This wasn’t a figment of my imagination. I was alone with three children to care and provide for their needs. I’ve seen people living in their cars with children and realized I was only an illness or layoff away from being in the same place. A truth which has given me compassion instead of joining the sneering comments I have heard.

Laying on the pallet that was my bed, I had some long talks with my Father God. It was like He was sitting cross-legged next to me as I spoke of the various things jumbled in my mind. And then as I just laid there in silence, a Scripture would come to me. I am not good at memorizing so when “1 Peter 2” came to mind, I had no idea what was in the 2nd chapter of 1 Peter and how that applied to what I just shared. But it did. I would read it, wait quietly, and read it again asking the Holy Spirit to show me His truth. Usually it wasn’t “Jody, go do this” but a gentle message of where I needed to make changes in my thinking or attitude – a heart change that would bring peace in my spirit and, in turn, show me clarity on the problem or where I could see or receive more wisdom.

I still find night time talks with my Father God to be a time that I cannot put a value on. It is beyond any treasure that I know. I know some people who have the same treasured time first thing in the morning. Bless them! If my Father has something to say to me at 6 a.m., then He will wake me clear-headed!

Please spend time every day with our Father God who loves you so very much! It may be 15 minutes but let it be your time with no distractions at home, on the back porch, on the quiet morning beach, or on a mountain overlook. Find out how much your Father God cares about you and what is going on in your life. Shalom.