Imagine Jesus sitting on a park bench with you. His eyes, filled with amazing love, fall on you. He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds stop their singing, and He says, “What’s on your mind?” Could you utter any sound at all? If you could, what would you say? Friend, Jesus is serious about having a relationship with us. He said, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20).
A Conversation with Jesus
It is possible to have a conversation with Jesus by using prayer. He set the example when He was on earth by praying to the Father when He was with the disciples. He taught His friends how to pray using the Lord’s Prayer, which is a pattern for us to use when we pray.
- Start with praise and adoration.
- Ask that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven;
- For your daily needs;
- That He forgives you as you forgive others, and
- Ask Him to keep you from temptation and sin.
Relationships are two sided. God wants us to know about Him and His ways, which are recorded in the Bible. When we read God’s story, we learn how much He loves people and how He works in relationship.
Prayer is Not
Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7). God love us and cares what happens to us, but He is not an errand boy. He will give you things you ask for when they are in His will, but He is not interested in hearing prayers that sound more like shopping lists. How would you feel if a friend only loved you for what he/she could get from you? This kind of communication doesn’t please God either.
Prayer is Relationship
People in love with each other spend a lot of time together–loving, encouraging, giving and helping each other. This is the kind of time God wants to spend with us. He loves us and desires for us to love Him in return.
Prayer
O Lord our God, King of the universe, thank you for loving us. Teach us how to pray and help us to share your love with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tell Me the Story 