Spiritual Prescription TALKING FOR THE SAKE OF TALKING
And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. Ex. 33:11.
Think for a few minutes today about one on your close friends whose companionship you enjoy, and with whom you are able to visit on a regular basis. How long has it been since you talked to this person for as much as ten minutes at a stretch, without asking them to give you anything or to do anything for you? What did you talk about? Most people would probably have little trouble talking to one of their best friends for long periods of time without asking for anything.
But how about God? How long has it been since you talked to Him for ten minutes and neither asked Him to give you anything nor asked Him to do anything for you?
If the primary purpose of the Christian life is for relationship with God, then the primary purpose of prayer is for communication. Yet how many Christians consider prayer as primarily a medium through which to get things--primarily for the purpose of getting answers. In fact, there are some who have wondered whether or not they received the answers they were seeking.
We understand in our human relationships that the primary purpose for our talking is not to get something from the other person, but rather just talking for the sake of talking--talking because we enjoy the other person's company.
While those who are close to us are often willing to do many things for us, and while we certainly hope that if we were to offend one of our earthly friends and ask forgiveness, they would grant it, yet seeking these services from them is never the basis of any really lasting relationship. But how often in our attempts to communicate with God we limit our communication to requests for His help, and miss the blessing of talking to Him just for the joy of talking to One who loves and understands us and is interested in whatever we are anxious to share.
If your communication with God has been primarily on a "give me or forgive me" basis, try setting aside ten minutes today to talk to Him without asking Him for anything at all. You may discover a whole new dimension to praying that you have missed before.
And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. Ex. 33:11.
Think for a few minutes today about one on your close friends whose companionship you enjoy, and with whom you are able to visit on a regular basis. How long has it been since you talked to this person for as much as ten minutes at a stretch, without asking them to give you anything or to do anything for you? What did you talk about? Most people would probably have little trouble talking to one of their best friends for long periods of time without asking for anything.
But how about God? How long has it been since you talked to Him for ten minutes and neither asked Him to give you anything nor asked Him to do anything for you?
If the primary purpose of the Christian life is for relationship with God, then the primary purpose of prayer is for communication. Yet how many Christians consider prayer as primarily a medium through which to get things--primarily for the purpose of getting answers. In fact, there are some who have wondered whether or not they received the answers they were seeking.
We understand in our human relationships that the primary purpose for our talking is not to get something from the other person, but rather just talking for the sake of talking--talking because we enjoy the other person's company.
While those who are close to us are often willing to do many things for us, and while we certainly hope that if we were to offend one of our earthly friends and ask forgiveness, they would grant it, yet seeking these services from them is never the basis of any really lasting relationship. But how often in our attempts to communicate with God we limit our communication to requests for His help, and miss the blessing of talking to Him just for the joy of talking to One who loves and understands us and is interested in whatever we are anxious to share.
If your communication with God has been primarily on a "give me or forgive me" basis, try setting aside ten minutes today to talk to Him without asking Him for anything at all. You may discover a whole new dimension to praying that you have missed before.
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