Thoughts on Prayer

My nephew can call me anytime of the day or night and he knows it. I remember when he memorized my phone number. He was two. Once in a while his mother – my sister – advises him not to bother me because I’m at work, and this is his response. “She loves me and has told me I can call her anytime. She’ll take my call”.

He’s right.

My favorite calls from him are the ones where he doesn’t want anything from me. He’ll call and say “Hey Lina.” Did I mention he’s six now?

“What’s up, Ben?” I say. “Nothing”, he replies, “just called to say hi, how’s your day going?”

Excuse me? Did a six year old just call to see how I was doing?

I’ll take Ben’s calls anytime because I love him. His response to my love is confidence and reciprocated love. And when he does call for a favor, it’s hard to say no. In fact, I’ll do anything within my realm of ability to help make his request possible.

Sometimes the thing he asks for is ridiculous, like when he hits me up for cash, but for the most part, the things he needs are real and do-able. Like new cleats for soccer, or a stop at the ice cream store on a free afternoon.

You get the picture.

Confidence grows where love is the anchor. Relationship blossoms where communication is present.

It’s not so different with prayer. You’ve got to talk to God to get to know God. He’s promised never to hang up on you because He loves you. You believe Him, or you don’t. Your prayer life reflects that belief.

But here’s the deal about prayer. It doesn’t work as well if you don’t know the one you’re talking to. If a random kid called and asked me for a favor, I may do it once or twice, but at some point, I’d sit him down and ask where his mom or dad was. It’s not because I don’t want to help him, but it’s because I do. And if he tells me he has no parent, I may seriously consider adopting him.

God makes it clear in His word what it takes to have a relationship with Him. In John 1:12 He says “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.”

That’s the name of Jesus he’s referring to.

Do you believe in His name? Then why aren’t you praying?

Do you not believe in His name? Then why are you praying?

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