It All Starts With Prayer

Have you ever felt like your prayer life is close to non-existent. That you can never seem to prayer without being interrupted, distracted, or bored? Do you feel like you don't have that closeness with God that you have been longing for your whole life. Well let me tell you I have been finding out that everything starts with prayer. Your relationship starts with prayer. Thats why its called a relationship. Can you every imagine being in a relationship with someone and never talking to them? Now what kind of relationship would that be? In my quest to draw closer to God I have started to read this awesome book called, "A Praying Life." by Paul E. Miller. Miler has this awesome example that might describe you or your situation that I would like to share.

"Lets imagine that you see a prayer therapist to get your prayer life straightened out. the therapist says, "Lets begin by looking at your relationship with your heavenly Father. God said, 'I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters to me' (2 Corinthians 6:18). What does it mean that you are a son or daughter of God?" You reply that it means you have a complete access to your heavenly Father through Jesus. You  have true intimacy, based not on how good you are but on the goodness of JEsus. Not only that, Jesus is your bother. You are  fellow heir with him. The Therapist smiles and says, "That is right. You've done a wonderful job of describing the doctrine of Sonship. Now tell me what it is like for you to be with your Father? What is it like to talk with him?" You cautiously tell the therapist how difficult it is to be in your Father's presence, even for a couple minutes. Your mind wanders. You aren't sure what to say. You wonder, Does prayer make a any difference? Is God even there? Then you feel guilty for your doubts and just give up.(Does this sound like you?) Your therapist tells you what you already suspect. "Your relationship with your heavenly Father is dysfunctional. You talk as if you have an intimate relationship, but you don't. Theoretically, it is close. Practically, it is distant. You need help."

Does this exchange between the therapist and you sound familiar. Are you struggling with praying? Prayer is an amazing thing. If your relationship with God is suffering and you don't know where to start I would say start with prayer. Prayer is an amazing thing it can turn your life around, it can give you strength, and it can draw you closer to God. I would encourage you to start your day with prayer and through out the day pray. Pray for what you need. Not what you want but what you need. May the Lord bless you in your quest to draw closer to God.