Chillaxing with God

How easy is it for you to talk to God? I am not asking if you pray, or how often, or if you believe that God hears and answers. I am beginning with the assumption that prayer is a part of your life. While it would not be hard to make a case for more frequent, faith-filled prayer in our lives, I want to steer your thoughts more to the language of your prayers. 

If you - like me - grew up with church as a regular part of your life, you probably picked up on some prayer phraseology along the way that was used so often you were sure it was straight from the Bible. For example:

•  Guide, guard and direct (sometimes, protect) us
•  Forgive us from any unforgiven sin
•  Repeated references to the sick and afflicted the world over
•  Prayers offered up for those who it is our duty and privilege to pray for (yes, I know the grammar is wrong)
• Sometimes we prayed for those who were providentially hindered from coming to church
•  And how many prayers closed with this benediction: Bring us back at the next appointed time

Please hear this statement: I am not making fun of anyone who stands and leads God's people in prayer. Rather, I wonder how many of us get in the rut of praying the same things every time we pray. I know that men sometimes are nervous about public speaking in that capacity, and there is a comfort in familiar words. But step away from public prayer...how many of us do this in our personal prayers?

I think many of us have trouble speaking from our hearts to God. Perhaps in consideration of the greatness of God, we have convinced ourselves that we need to speak in some higher (at times, KJV) language. However, what God desires to hear from us is what is on our hearts. Jesus taught a very simple framework for prayer, and was quite vocal against the Pharisees who prayed with their flowery language and with an abundance of words (Matthew 6). It was Jesus who really emphasized our parent-child relationship with God. It is because of Jesus' intercessory work that we can come before God with confidence (Hebrews 4). All this is to help you realize that, just as you would talk to your earthly father - pouring out your heart to him - you can talk to God in your prayers.

Perhaps one of the things that will help us to develop this kind of prayer relationship with our Father is knowing that he has made provision for us even when we cannot form our prayers into words. Consider this, from Romans 8.26.27:

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know

how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us

with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts

knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes

for the saints according to the will of God.

Paul penned these words just after reminding us of our relationship with God (adopted as his sons, able to call him something akin to Da-Da), and just before reminding us that God is working everything to the ultimate good of those who are his. Accident? No way! God knows that we sometimes have a hard time opening ourselves up to him, and uses the Holy Spirit to make that easier.

We have really encouraged our kids to speak conversationally in their prayers. Even for kids, the familiar words tend to come easily. But it is a real joy to listen as they open their hearts to their Creator. Tears are often present as they discuss concerns of a 4-year-old and a 7-year-old mind. Sometimes, however, Dana and I have to stifle laughter. Such was the case last night. Samuel was praying before bedtime and a portion of his prayer went as follows:

God, please help tonight to be a "chillaxing" night. And just so

you know, the "ch" is from chill out and the "lax" is from relax.

So I hope you will help this to be a "chillaxing night.

I did not dare laugh, however. I know that Samuel does not doubt the omniscience of God. Yet he did not want to spring his vast pop-cultural vocabulary on God without a little clarification. While I may have found it humorous, I love the fact that, at such a young age, Samuel is that comfortable talking to God. My prayer for you is that you can open your heart to God in prayer, that whatever is on your mind will flow freely into the listening ears of your Father. I pray that your efforts at communicating your praise and your petitions will become as natural as talking to someone you can see.

I guess what I am trying to say is....I hope that you will be able to "chillax" with God today!