Daily Power #95

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” (Matt. 6:6)

“Dude, what’s kickin’?” my friend asked. “Good to see you, Craig.”

“Man, it’s good to see you too,” I said. We were meeting for lunch to catch up but also to discuss how my buddy and his family might plug in to our church. We chatted and then when our food came, I realized something.

“Oh, heavenly Father, gracious creator and sustainer of all goodness,” my friend began to pray. His voice suddenly sounded like he had a cold, and at first I looked around to see who he was talking to. Then I realized that this was his “praying voice.” I don’t want to be judgmental, but it seemed more like he was performing than praying.

Sometimes we forget that we can talk to God just like we talk to everyone else. Just imagine if one of my kids came up to me, stopped several feet away, and said, “Grand, omnipotent father of our household, we beseech thy blessing in the form of lunch money for school this very day.” I’d rush them to the doctor, right?

When my kids were young, they would just come running up and crawl in my lap. They’d say, “Daddy, I love you. Want to go to the playground?” Their loving innocence and sincerity moved my heart every time I heard their voices.

God, as our heavenly Father, wants us to talk to him with the same authenticity. You don’t need to sound like Shakespeare or King James. In Scripture we see people talking to God in the midst of almost every emotional situation, including anger, fear, and desperation.

While you should always be reverent, you can pray honestly to God.

Power Lift

Father, today I want to talk to you without trying to get the words right, knowing you will hear my heart.