Conversing With God

I’ve heard prayer defined as “having a conversation with God.” If we were to look up all the passages in Scripture concerning prayer, we’d find that prayer is only half of a conversation. Prayer involves the active asking, telling, declaring, or speaking to God. If only prayer is involved, it is a monologue, like the Pharisee who prayed to himself (Luke 18:11).

Conversing with, or having a meaningful conversation, occurs when thoughts, feelings, and hearts are exchanged and shared between two parties. Often we do not have meaningful conversations with God because we are not praying on the basis of His Word—in other words, we are praying (talking) but are not listening. Our “conversation” with God often sounds more like children asking their parents the same questions over and over with the parents answering, “What did I say?” repeatedly.

Prayer is not just to inform God about our circumstances or our internal state of affairs—God already knows that! Rather, prayer is an avenue of seeking God in an attempt to enter into His Presence and into His World (Hebrews 4:8-11). I think that Jesus said it best when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

I know that it has made a huge difference in my life when I started to talk to God on the basis of His Word. I remember telling Jesus, “Where is this rest for my soul that you talked about?” The ensuing conversation changed the direction of my life forever. The rest is history—or should I say, the rest is His story.