Teach Me to Pray Our Father Day 4

Our Father Who Are in Heaven

Meditative, Listening Prayer

To meditate is simply a matter of slowing down enough to think and let your mind find focus. Listening acknowledges that prayer is a conversation, so we listen to what God has to say, too. We wait for his guidance to our train of thought.

God, listen! Listen to my prayer, listen to the pain in my cries. Don’t turn your back on me

just when I need you so desperately. Pay attention! This is a cry for help! And hurry - this can’t wait! Ps 102:1-2 MSG

Prayer, at its heart, is very simple and one of the greatest privileges we as Christ-followers have. If we believe this to be true, what gets in the way of us being able to hear and speak with God? What stops this most intimate form of communication between Father and child that can bring about joy, happiness, peace, and courage? Maybe it’s the idea that the Almighty Father, the creator of heaven and earth, would actually take time out of His busy schedule and devote His utmost attention to us, who don’t deserve His grace and mercy. Due to this view, we may see God as being inaccessible. We come before Him with pomp and circumstance. Nope! Not at all! Try again!

Come before Him with humility, and with as much quietness of mind and heart as you can muster and just speak with simple words of praise and boldly ask for God-inspired desires for your heart. Be bold with the belief that He hears your cries and will enter into that conversation. Keep It Short and Sweet (K.I.S.S) and don’t forget to listen, too! In your journal you may write the whole prayer or just jot a record of thoughts God sends from today’s passage.