“O Lord, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.” (Psalm 17:1 NLT)
Psalm 17 is one among many prayers of David and others who verify and illustrate the personal nature of prayer. Prayer isn’t our endless attempts to fill the air with meaningless rantings hoping someone is out there who will hear them. They are the quiet longings of our heart shared to keep the avenues of conversation flowing between ourselves and the Creator God of the Universe.
In this season of my life there is nothing that satisfies my heart, nor soothes my soul like spending dedicated and devoted moments specifically with the Lord. When my body is weak and my mind is grasping to make sense of what’s invading my life, to lie in the Lord’s presence and allow Him to speak life and hope and help into my spirit is soothing, comforting, encouraging, and life-invigorating.
Brother Lawrence had it right when he wrote: “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.” Some may wonder: “How is that even possible?” One misnomer is thinking of conversation as a continuous flow of words, but being in someone’s presence doesn’t necessarily mean that one or the other is always speaking.
Have you ever worked closely with someone, either on a project or at work? Obviously, you’re focused on your work, that elicits conversation, but often there are “side” subjects. “How’s your family? I understand you just had a child; a child went to college; you just went through a divorce; your mom’s been sick…” There are endless conversation opportunities even with people we hardly know, along with periods of quietness. How much easier to speak with Someone who knows us better than anyone else and invites us to know and love Him intimately as well.
Often my “conversation” goes something like this: “Father, I feel rotten today. Any chance You could just let me come home?” I don’t hear His voice, but I sense His smile. He’s pondering the best way to communicate His heart to me when I sense His voice. “When you’re ready, I won’t delay.” “But that’s the point, I think I’m ready today. What else do you want me to do for you?” Then His voice gets a little firmer: “Son, you know I love you and I’ve invested Myself very fully in your spiritual development, but there are lots of things you can’t see or understand that I see clearly and understand fully. Please be patient and trust Me.”
“You know I trust You with my life, but I’m tired, weak, and feel useless sometimes because I can’t do a lot of things I used to be able to do.” To which He lovingly responds: “You can still think about Me and speak with Me. I understand your limitations, but I also know that we’ve developed a relationship that some of your friends and readers are still seeking. Keep telling them about Me and let them see in your love and devotion to Me that even in hard times, our conversations sustain and enable you to keep going. One day, sooner than you can possibly realize, probably when you least expect it, I’ll come for you and we’ll be together for all eternity. Then I’ll show you things I can’t explain now and allow you to know things you’ve never imagined or experienced. I love you, son, thank you for your patience and trust.” “I love You, too, Father, and I can’t imagine life without You. Thank You for Your endless patience and kindness with me. I’m forever Yours and can’t wait to see my home in heaven that You’ve prepared for me.”
Of course, our conversations vary as to topics and intensity but are near constant as we go through life together each day. You may not have learned the art of continual conversation with the Lord, but the sooner you do, the better your life will be and the more intimacy you’ll enjoy with your Savior.
P.S. Some of my most intense conversations with the Lord have taken place in the midst of a difficult project I was inmeshed in. 😊
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 