05/12/2020
When we pray do we exert all of our effort, and dedicate every word, to asking for things we need, and for our desires to be met? If that is the case then we are missing the true treasure that resides within prayer. By praying in this way we are missing the full depth of relationship, such as Adam experienced during his walks with God in the Garden. When we love God, and are in relationship with Him, we should be discussing our lives, and asking questions about our heritage In Him, because He is our loving Father, and about His mysteries, because we are His adoring children who seek His wisdom.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
In the course of our prayers have we ever considered leaving our personal wish list outside the door to our prayer closet, and just entered in to have a conversation? Have we ever just called to Him without wanting something other than to be with Him, to seek His wisdom, and laugh in the fullness of His joy?
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalm 16:11 ESV
Don’t misunderstand, God loves to help us, to hear our wants, and to give us the things we need. On my grandfather’s farm in North Carolina there was a special time for discussing plans for the coming day, and determining what would be needed to accomplish it. This time always began with a family prayer of thanksgiving for God’s provision, in asking for His help, and seeking His protection for our crops and souls. These prayers, and discussions, occurred over the dinner table as the bounty of the Lord was passed hand to hand, and filled every plate.
Then, in the evenings after dinner, my grandfather and the other men would go into the yard, and lean up against the house on cane bottom chairs. They would sit there for hours discussing the news of the community, various farming methods, politics, and a wide variety of subjects. In this way they would enjoy looking out over the fields they had worked all day, the cool of the evening, and each other’s company. They would be absorbed in such conversation for hours... until the sun went down, and it was time to prepare for bed. The women would be participating in a very similar conversation in the house as they tended to the children, combed one another’s hair, and shared their thoughts. Only briefly, did either the men, or the women, speak further of things they needed help with, or from one another. This was a time of interpersonal relationship, conversation, and family. So why is it that we have forgone such evenings with our Heavenly Father? We sit at His table and ask, but we neglect to enjoy those times of leaning against the house, or coming Hair. We ask for things, but we spend so little time in conversation and laughter.
“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”
Psalm 27:4 ESV
So today let’s make time to ask, but more importantly, let’s set aside a special time for personal conversation. Let’s open our hearts to the Lord, and ask Him to share with us the hidden things that only He knows; the wisdom, knowledge, and other things of Himself that we find so mysterious and interesting. Let’s lean back against the house, or sit together in quiet conversation as a loving family... in relationship.
“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”
Psalm 73:28 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing our prayers, and giving us those things we ask for, but Lord we thank you more for the times of loving conversation we share together. Speak to us of your will for us , and the blessings that await for us in you. Teach us of yourself and advise us regarding life. Embrace us Heavenly Father, and open our eyes to Jesus who sits at your right hand. Ask us about our lives and thoughts so that we can discuss them together. Let your peace and joy surround us, and the cool of the evening bring us relief from the heat, and labor, of the day. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God whose love has brought us into your family. Praised be your name for the quiet family times that bind us together, and bring us into a lasting relationship. Hear our prayers, our desires, and our needs a Father, and hear us as our hearts sing out in thanksgiving to you. We worship you in our labor, in the midst of our needs, and in our times of just being in one another’s presence. We know that you love us now and always Father, so allow us to love you In return... to sit at your table, to walk with you, and to have evening conversations with you forevermore.
“Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.””
Psalm 27:7-8 ESV
Rich Forbes