First Presbyterian Church News

Pray It Out, Listen Up!
    
We always hear people say, “I pray to God”.  Many of us may be thinking, “What exactly does that mean, what is prayer, how do you do it?” Prayer is having a conversation with God.  How do you do it?  You simply talk to God, like you talk to a friend. 
    
Some will say, “I don’t’ know what to say, I’m not smart enough, I don’t know enough about the Bible to pray”.  You don’t have to be smart, or have read the Bible to be able to pray.  Prayer can be as simple as, “Hey God, I need your help today, I’m really struggling”.  How do you get answers?  This is the most difficult. You must to listen with your heart for answers. Your answers may come as an opportunity, a visit from a friend, or maybe a letter in the mail.
    
Three two-word prayers that we can all use are,” Thank-you, Help me, and I’m sorry”.  Prayer is like a friend waiting for a call from us.  God knows what is happening and what you have done, but he wants to hear from you.  He doesn’t want to hear it from the grapevine.  We all have experienced hearing an apology through a second person.  It is not effective unless it comes from you. 
    
God’s answers are not always Yes. This doesn’t mean you are not good enough, or that he doesn’t hear you. Here are four possible answers that you may receive:
 

1. No, that is not the right decision for you.
2. Go slow, it is right, but the timing is not right.
3. Keep growing, it is right, but you need to continue to grow and learn more. Be patient.
4. Go, go for it!

 
     Lastly, there are not perfect prayers.  Praying takes practice and needs to come from the heart.  Take time to seek and listen. Don’t let grass grow on your prayer path. Make sure it is a well-worn path between you and God.  Start talking, He is listening. And always remember, sometimes we thank God, for unanswered prayers.

Submitted by: Melody Dilts