How do you start a conversation with God?
Most conversations start with hi, hello, or hey, but some also begin by calling the person's name of whom you wish to speak. My conversations with God usually start with me addressing Him as Lord because He is Lord of my life. However, God has many titles and names. I often call him by the name that reflects my most recent experience of Him. However, if this is your first time praying and calling on God, it is okay to call Him God. As your relationship with Him grows, so will the names you call Him.
The proper etiquette after greeting someone is to make the conversation about them. This shows respect for the person to whom you are speaking. Therefore, before I go to God with my list of requests, I first offer Him praise with thanksgiving. I am so grateful for who God is and His faithfulness towards me that I spend the first few moments of prayer thanking Him. I am thankful for His provisions, His protection, and His love. I know what love is because He first loved me. I love telling God, I love Him. You should tell Him too. Who does not like hearing someone say, "I love you?" We all do, and so does God.
Another thing we must do before making our petitions known to God is to acknowledge our wrongdoings. We confess our sins to God because when we sin, we sin against Him and need His forgiveness. We have all heard that confession is good for the soul. Admitting our sins feels like a weight lifted from our shoulders. God is pleased with a repentant heart.
So, what do we want from God? Or better yet, what do we want Him to do for us? There is so much to ask for because we need Him for everything. Therefore, we should talk with Him often to keep our petitions from becoming long. Forcing ourselves to remember every request until an opportune time to converse with God puts unnecessary stress upon ourselves. We must pray at all times without ceasing.
Next, the most essential part of the conversation is repeating God's promises back to Him. It lets Him know we are placing our hope and trust in Him and His Word. When I promise my son a reward, he does not let me forget it. He reminds me every day until he receives it. It should be so with us. But you cannot repeat something you do not know. Study God's Word and make every effort to present yourself approved to God.
Finally, we end our prayer in agreement with God. His Word promises us that He has heard our plea and accepts our prayers. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. This is the confidence that we have in him.
Scriptures for Reflection
Psalm 51:17, 1 John 5:14-15, Philippians 4:4-6, 1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 4:19, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 2 Timothy 2:15
