Over the twenty years I have spent in the ministry I have been amazed at how difficult it is for people to talk to God. For some reason, people think that to talk to God you have to use "million dollar" words or their prayers have to be "formal." Fortunately that is not the case, you just have to take the time and have a conversation with God.One way to help accomplish that is to act like God/Jesus is sitting in a chair. I use that technique all the time and I have discovered over the years that my prayers are more meaningful and are from the heart. Remember the old hymn "What A Friend We Have In Jesus," and the verse that says "Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?" Since Jesus is our friend doesn't it make sense to talk to Him like we do any of our close friends?
If you use the chair technique you will discover your prayers will take on a whole new meaning. You will start talking like you do to a friend and you will be more relaxed when you pray. I feel that praying in that manner is what God has always wanted His children to do, but we have put up a wall of "formality" which separates us from Him.
I have imagined over the years what it would be like if I sat down and conducted an interview with God. I am convinced that He would tell us that we worry about too much and that we forget to love, not only others, but ourselves. He would remind us that His son, Jesus Christ, died for us out of His love for us and that all He really asks from us it to love Him back.
If you are struggling with prayer...just have a conversation and remember that (prayer) prayer releases all your everyday rubbish. Isn't it time you sat down and had that conversation with the greatest friend you could ever have?...God!
