June 8 – Say it how it is

“Then you will call upon me and go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart” - Jeremiah 29:12,13

A couple of months ago, Phil, one of our church members, gave me a small book with a big topic - “Teach us to Pray” by Tamyra Horst – no technical jargon, just an easy read - very like a conversation between friends as they demolish a hot drink and biscuits. My bookshelves bear witness to the fact that over the years, I have read, or given up on, a wide range of 'For best results, this is how/the only way, to pray.' Is that a fact?

Like Tamyra, and the vast majority of you who are reading this, I can't remember a time when I didn't pray. The way I figured it, if Jesus truly was my friend, why wouldn't I want to tell Him about all the things that had happened to me that day? Medical advances have since proved that the developing child in the womb can hear, and reacts to, sounds – partcularly the sound of the mothers voice.

“Listen to Me, O islands, And pay attention, you peoples from afar The LORD called Me from the womb; From the body of My mother He named Me” - Isaiah 49:1

That explains the 'God spot' we are all born with. Although, like Dave Dravecky, I can't for a minute pretend to understand everything about prayer, and the mystery of how it works, but ove time prayer changes us the more we become connected to Him. When the trials, worries, pain and heartbreaks of life seem at times, so unbearable, and no-one appears to care, Jesus does.

God isn't interested in whether we have a qualification in the correct way to pray - We don't need to have knowledge of theological terminology. All we need IS our need. Our need of a friend who is always there, always available – any day, anywhere, any time. All we need to know about prayer He taught us before leaving earth – how to have a conversation with Him and pass over our cares and concerns – not forgetting, thanking Him for the divine gift of encouragement that comes from the people God brings into our lives.

Don't be like Martha, too busy to stop working for even five minutes. Take a leaf out of Mary's book....there will always be some work or other to be done, but Mary prefered to take time out with Jesus.

Put the kettle on, pull up a chair, your Friend is coming to call.

Today's music is “When life gets broken” - Sandi Patty. Click on the picture to listen.