God Speaking

“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18)

Last week, one of our granddaughters popped in to see us for a quick visit, just to see how we were, as my husband has not been well. Her time with us brought us great joy and her chatter lifted our spirits and we were delighted with the warm relationship we have with her.  I was thinking back on this visit when our Bible study was studying prayer and, in particular, the verse from Thessalonians where Paul was encouraging young Christians to pray continually so their relationship with Christ Jesus would never grew cold. I suddenly realised that the Heavenly Father likes us to pop in and see him spontaneously without feeling that we need to ask him a whole lot of pressing needs, but can come just like our granddaughter, to spend an intimate time with him, just sharing whatever we are doing. I always find great wisdom in the Psalms, and the Psalmists knew how important it was to be constantly in touch with the Lord

“Look to the Lord and his strength; and seek his face always.” (Psalm 105: 4)

One way to do this is to talk to him while we do those mundane tasks, such as

• washing the dishes
• driving on one of those countless errands
• running on that treadmill
• not only keeps us in touch

helps the time to pass quickly. I watch a lot of the young people nowadays carrying that smart phone, seemingly fastened to their hand, and chatting to someone wherever they are.  We could do the same chatting to our Heavenly Father without even purchasing a smart phone.

Spontaneous prayer often results in an honest outpouring of what we are feeling right at the moment. The other day I had taken a walk in the afternoon down to the waterfront which is quite close to where we live and as I rounded a corner a little gust of wind scattered beautiful Autumn leaves from the magnificent golden and red trees which line our street, over me and others walking along. At the same time, I spied the sun shimmering on the water of the harbour and I had to exclaim out aloud, (not too loudly so as not to startle those around me), my praise to God for the beauty he had created.

“O’ Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8: 1)

Of course, we also need those times when we set aside everything else and concentrate our thoughts of praise and thanksgiving and forgiveness in prayer as we seek God’s guidance and direction. Times when we need to stop speaking and listen to his voice. 

“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46: 10)

But the spontaneous prayers bring about a new and intimate touch to our relationship which deepens our walk with the Heavenly Father.