Meet God, my mate!

I often hear it said in meetings that we need to pray more. I’m sure that for many of us that’s true.

Occasionally I've been inspired to do something about the lack of prayer in my life, and I’ve set time aside to pray to God. But it doesn't last long; after about five minutes of God not answering I’m bored, and start thinking that these Christians who pray for half an hour every day are either loners or big fat liars, or maybe God just doesn't like me. But I knew this couldn't really be true, I must be missing something key!

Now I’m sure we have all heard prayers in meetings. If you’re new to faith you’d be forgiven for believing that the more times someone says the phrase “Father God” the more God listens.

However, on one of these very occasional times that I was inspired to pray God spoke to me (so He doesn't hate me). As I was walking around the garden I thought I was doing well, I was about three minutes in and I had got at least ten "Father Gods" in and I still wasn't bored, when I sensed God wanted me to shut up. I sat on the grass and tried to listen to what the Big man had to say (I struggle with listening too). After listening for a few minutes I sensed God trying to tell me "I’m your Friend". To start with this confused me, to think that one of my friends was God. Then again "I’m your friend, talk to me as a friend". Then it clicked, talk to Him as a friend. It’s not about all the "Father Gods".

I can't imagine that I'd have too many friends if I only shared my problems with them, and every three words repeated their name over and over again.

"So Joe Blogs thank you for my present, but Joe Blogs its all ready broken Joe Blogs. Joe Blogs if you could just see if it can be replaced Joe Blogs, thanks Joe Blogs"

Sounds slightly odd am sure you would agree.

 

Like you are with your friends, God wants a normal conversation with you. He doesn't want to hear just your issues. He wants to know you, the good and the bad. And like a friend, he needs time to reply.

So with this in mind, I will often just talk away to God about all manner of things, at all manner of times. Maybe this is what it means to have a prayer life.