SAMANTHA ELLEY on the “deep connection” with God that prayer can provide…
PICTURE: Aaron Burden/Unsplash
“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men…but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen.” – Matthew 6:5-8
Have you ever had one of those conversations with a friend or family member where you talk for hours?
You relate experiences, talk on issues of the day, laugh over the same jokes, discuss problems and share solutions. Then when you walk away, you feel refreshed, uplifted, possibly inspired and maybe even relieved of a burden you had been carrying.
“Prayer isn’t to be paraded or showy, as the above verse indicates. It is a deep connection with the Creator of the Universe, where we discuss, petition, laugh, cry, dare I say, yell and generally share what is important in our lives with Him.”
As the old saying goes: ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’.
I remember in my teen years, friends and I would sit and talk into the wee hours of the morning, over the phone, or after a night out in the car as we were being dropped home. We solved the problems of the world back then.
As a young mum, I would discuss the ins and outs of being a new parent with members of my mother’s group and it felt so good to know I wasn’t alone in the big issues of fussy eaters, toilet training and toddler tantrums.
These days I enjoy long chats with my sons over their school and uni work, how to face life’s dilemmas as they venture into the world on their own and giving advice when asked.
I have recently been learning about the value of purposeful prayer, where we spend that same quality time with God, just as we would in conversation with our loved ones.
Prayer isn’t to be paraded or showy, as the above verse indicates. It is a deep connection with the Creator of the Universe, where we discuss, petition, laugh, cry, dare I say, yell and generally share what is important in our lives with Him.
We create a balance of connection with our Father in Heaven, honouring Him, putting Him in His rightful place. We then place before Him our petitions on behalf of others and ourselves. Not flippantly, but with purpose, believing He is listening and answering according to His will.
We take on the burden of the single mother who doesn’t know whether or not she will have her job in a week, yet still needs to provide for her family.
We feel the anguish of the young family who lost their baby to SIDS and ask God to comfort them, while mourning the loss of their little one.
We pray for our unbelieving family members, thanking God for the part we play in their lives and ask for opportunities to show Him as real to them.
We discuss. Not in formulaic words, but just as we would with others. This conversation isn’t a show for others, but a real and heartfelt time.
Jesus gave us that outline when He started with the words ‘Our Father who art in Heaven…’.
May you have more heavenly discussions with your Father in Heaven. You never know what the results may be.
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