TALKING IT OVER WITH GOD

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL)

Life is fragile, at best, in this hectic world in which we live. Five years ago I was traveling in a remote part of the country, on my way to visit a client, when my life was forever radically changed in a blinking of an eye, due to a near fatal vehicle accident.

I don’t remember much about the accident, including how it happened, as I lost complete consciousness, for a period of time. Looking back, I often wonder if God’s Angel didn’t block the actual wreck from my memory.

However, when I gained my composure, I remembered seeing and hearing the medical personnel, as they cut the twisted metal, in an attempt to pull me from the wreckage. It was at that point, that I started crying out to God, over and over, to please bring me back to my wife. We serve an awesome God, for he answered my pray, that dreadful day.

After an extended two month hospital stay, needed to mend my crushed body, and several weeks of therapy, I was able to return to restricted work duty. Praise God, I am now living a normal retired life and enjoying every minute of God's Grace.

Since that devastating event, I have had many hours to reflect back. Why did God allow this to happen? Why did God miraculously see me through the whole ordeal? Well, it’s a good thing we can’t determine the future, or we would probably never make it through the day.

God’s word instructs us to let our petitions be known to God, by prayer and supplication.( Phill 4:5). I really was not in any shape to quote scripture that miraculous day, but as a child of God, I made my plea known. And "Praise God" He answered my plea.

So, let us take a look at the attribute of God, we term "Prayer". As Christians, we have two ways that we can communicate with our Heavenly Father, through prayer and through Gods word. These two methods of communication with God, can also take the form of our relationship with other believes and through certain other life circumstances.

If you’ve been exposed to church very long, you know there are numerous human patterns of prayer. Some will pray in the Old English dialog, while others will pray around the world. Why, I have even seen preachers sing down a lengthy prayer.

I don’t mean to make light of prayer, for prayer is just simply talking to God. We all serve a loving kind Heavenly Father, who knows our needs, even before we ask. And "Praise God", we can come to Him, anytime, in prayer and supplication (Phil4:5).

SO BASICALLY, PRAYER IS SIMPLY TALKING TO GOD

To whom do we pray? You may think this question is juvenile. However, if you ask the "Man on the street" you would be surprised at the answers you would probable get. Yes, there are many so called gods. However, as Christians, naming the name of Christ, we know there is only one God and only one way to God, which is through His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:6). And we can be assured that our Heavenly Father hears us, through His amazing love, mercy and forgiveness.

Why do we pray? The Bible plainly states that our God knows our needs, even before we come to Him in prayer. However, Prayer is how God accomplishes the things that He wants to see happen in our lives. He opens the door of opportunity to move in and unleash His infinite power. Prayer also opens the channels of God's blessing (Psalm55:22).

REMEMBER, PRAYER CHANGES US, NOT GOD

What do we pray for? The very first petition must be the prayer to confess our sins. ( Romans 3:23-26). Then, we must accept Gods eternal Grace, by coming to Him, through faith in His Son Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once we are accepted into God’s family, we become His child.

Now, that we are a child of God, we should pray for three specific requests. First, we should ask God’s Holy Spirit to guide us to a spiritual understanding and wisdom (Proverbs 2:6-8). Second, we should pray thanking God (Philippians 2:6-8). And finally, we should pray to worship God (God Psalm (95:6-7).

REMEMBER, PRAYER’S PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST US IN BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM

What is our, responsibility, as child of God? We must give a priority to having complete faith in God (Hebrews 11:2). The story is told, of two boys, who were late for school. As they were running, the boys could see the school house in the distance and could hear the school bell ringing. One boy said. to the other boy," Why don’t we stop and pray that we won’t be late". The other boy then replied by saying "Why don’t we continue to run and pray while we run".

Our faith should be backed up by being obedient to God (Philemon 21), followed by having patience. (James 1:4).

REMEMBER, GOD ALREADY KNOWS OUR NEEDS AND PRAYER’S PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST US IN BUILDING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

In conclusion, as sinners saved by grace, we sometimes tend to let the human characteristics of our lives question God’s timing, in answering our prayers.

Remember, only God can see into the future and His time table is not necessarily ours. However, His plan includes working through our needs and He has promised to hear his children (2 Peter 3:8).
AMEN.

Charles Robey specializes in freelance Christian writings, with a strong evangelistic message. He feels that in today’s hectic stressful environment, Gods peace continues to ring true and is freely available to all. Mr. Robey may be reached at ccrobey@charter.net