The wonder of prayer
What would you say was the most important aspect of a friendship? Would it be compatibility, loyalty, a sense of humour, reliability, trust, or something else? Well, I guess all of these are vital to a good relationship. But none of them would be any good without one crucial ingredient. Talk!
Can you imagine a relationship with another person when you have never talked to them, e-mailed or sent them a text message?
I’ve always admired the rugby player Jason Robinson. I’ve read his book, seen him lead his team Sale Sharks in a win against the ‘Saints’ (Northamptonshire). I’ve cheered him on at Twickenham when he scored a classic Robinson try against Italy in the 2007 Six Nations championship.
I’ve been impressed by his behaviour on and off the field. Yet I can’t count him as one of my friends. Not even an acquaintance. Why? I’ve never actually spoken to him.
It’s difficult to imagine a friendship where communication never happens. In fact you would have to admit that you don’t know the person if you’ve never spoken to them. Communication is the key to any relationship, whether it’s parent/child, brother/sister or amongst our peers.
Relationship
Talk is at the heart of relationships. That’s why prayer is so important for the Christian. Prayer is at the heart of the Christian life, because the Christian life is all about a relationship – our relationship with God. God is a relational God. We see that in the trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; three persons in a unique and eternal relationship.
God has made us to have relationships – yes with each other, but especially with himself. We are made to have and enjoy relationships, and to enjoy our relationship with him. We see this right from the dawn of time itself.
Remember how it was in the Garden of Eden? That perfect place for man and woman where they were in a perfect relationship with their God; God walking with them and talking to them – a close personal relationship.
Prayer is important, because it is at the heart of our personal relationship with an eternal God through the Lord Jesus Christ. Isn’t that amazing?
Just stop to consider that for a moment. We, as Christians, are able to speak with God – the one who existed before anything else; the one who spoke and stars, millions of miles away, came into existence; the one who loves me with an everlasting love, who went to a cross and died in my place, for my sin!
God is the one we have a relationship with through prayer.
Andy Pryce
From Talking to God published by Young Life
