The Pointe

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come to the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
                                                                                                   Psalm 69:1-3

Many times we enter prayer thinking we have to say the right things, the right phrases, the right words. We think we have to hide our true feelings, especially in times of trouble. We don’t want to offend God, so we hold back from telling him how we truly feel.

But have you ever thought that by covering your feelings, you are not being truly transparent before him, and that that might offend him?

God doesn’t require that our prayers be organized and sanitized. He doesn’t want us to hide our true feelings.

The book of Psalms is an excellent example of being transparent before God. Time and time again, the author reveals his true feelings to God. He doesn’t hold back. He lets God know when he’s happy, hurt, sad and even angry. He is not disrespectful, but he is truthful in his prayers.

As you pray, whatever situation you are in, don’t hold back from God. Let him know exactly what you are thinking, exactly what you are feeling. Because as you do, you’ll begin to experience the freedom of a more honest and more intimate relationship with your Father, you know, the one that made you in your mother’s belly.  If He made you, you can certainly trust Him to help you - even fix what may be wrong.  He is waiting to hear from you!

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.James 5:13

When you think of prayer, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many people, prayer is simply a way of communicating their needs to God. During times of trouble, they turn to God through prayer. They seek his help. And there’s nothing wrong with that. James here reminds us that the first action we should take when we face adversity or trouble is pray. But that’s not the only time or place for prayer.

Prayer is communication with God. If I only communicated with my wife, Yolanda, when I wanted something from her or needed her help, I’d be robbing both of us of the intimate connection that our marriage is to be based on. For our relationship to grow, I need to tell her what I appreciate about her, how much she means to me and what I find attractive about her.

Don’t neglect your relationship with God by only talking with him when you’re in trouble. Instead, pray in every situation—good and bad.

God wants an intimate relationship with you. Don’t rob that relationship of its potential. Instead, share with God everything that is on your heart. Thank him, share with him and communicate with him during every circumstance you face. Because as you do, you will discover the real potential in your relationship with God.