It's All About Relationship!
God has created mankind so that we naturally hunger
for a relationship with Him. He has built that yearning for Himself into our frame; He has encoded eternal longings
in our spiritual DNA structure. The Scripture says, "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men" (Eccl. 3:11).
The famous theologian, C.S. Lewis, wrote, "If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the
most probably explanation is that I was made for another world." (Mere Christianity)
Prayer is the bridge between Heaven and Earth. It is the conduit through
which the spiritual realm is brought into our everyday lives. Prayer is the way of spirits breathe. Just as our
lungs require oxygen and are designed to seek it out, so our spirits require the presence of God and are designed to seek
HIm out. Without HIs presence, we are left gasping for meaning and desperately seeking our purpose in life.
We find ourslves trying our best to pray because it is as needful as air for our lungs.
Prayer is the method God uses to provide not only
our daily needs from food to shelter but also comfort, strength and guidance. The late E. Stanley Jones, missionary
and preacher, wrote, "Prayer is the opening of a channel from my emptiness into His fullness." (Abundant Living).
Answers depend on the relationship!
You find yourself drawn to prayer, curious about prayer,
or even desperate for prayer. Maybe you've tried prayer and prayer has failed you. Maybe you can point to unanswered
prayer after unanswered prayer, proving that prayer doesn't work. Does that describe you?
Welcome! You are at this website
because God wants you to understand how you can have a fulfilling relationship with Him that will turn prayer from a fruitless exercise to an exciting
adventure.
Prayer = Love!
Prayer works in the context of relationship.
Once relationship is established, you will find that prayer is its natural expression. It is simply speaking and listening
to your heavenly Father. God wants to answer our prayers. Answered prayer is how He manifests Himself in our life
and makes this relationship personal. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to
show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." 2Chronicles16:9 - NKJV.
Imagine that you went into a restaurant with your
father. Imagine that you and your father ordered your meals, and when the waiter brought them to your table, he said
to your father, "That looks delicious. I want to try a bite of that!" Then imagine the waiter picks up a fork
and helps himself from your father's plate. It would be inappropriate. You would be offended. You would
demand an apology.
Now imagine that you and your father ordered your
meals, the waiter brought them to your table, and you said to your father, "That looks delicious. I want to try a bite
of that!" Imagine that you pick up your fork and help yourself to a bite from your father's plate. It would be
natural. Your father would be happy to share his meal with you. It would be an accepted intimacy.
What is the difference between the two scenarios?
Not the words. Not the actions. Not the intention. The difference is the relationship. The child has access to the father
that the stranger does not. (Adapted from Live A Praying Life by Jennifer Kennedy Dean).
Prayer starts with the relationship.
Have you found that prayer does not work for you?
Perhaps you need to start with the relationship.
