Little Conversations with God

Prayer. What is prayer? It’s simply talking with God. I thank Him for people and things I really appreciate, share with Him what is on my mind, and then, in stillness, listen for His response. That Voice that breaks through my chaotic and busy world…the Voice that brings comfort in the midst of sorrow…the one Voice that touches the very core of my being…the voice of the One who breathes life into my soul with every word…I wait for the voice of the Holy Spirit to whisper…

But lately,…

My prayers sound something like this: “Heavenly Father, thank You so much for today. Thank You for our time together this morning. Thank you for the rain, too. I love the rain”…speaking of water, we need dish soap…and laundry detergent. Man, I’ve got to do laundry…(yawn) wow, I’m tired. Oh, I need to take my vitamins before I forget. I’m, also, down on my water intake; better refill my water bottle. “Speaking of water, where were we, Lord?”

This is what I refer to as an “A.D.D. prayer.” My attention is everywhere except where it should be. Somehow, I just can’t seem to focus on our conversation.

My other prayer challenge sounds similar to this: “Good morning, LORD. I was thinking about today, and I really could use Your help to get through this day. Will You, also, please, help Noah and Judah in school and keep them safe? Oh, and bring Neil home safely tonight. Also, if You wouldn’t mind keeping my car going just until we can get it into the shop, that would be awesome. Oh, and by way, thanks for today, too, LORD…”

Me-centered, me-focused prayers. I call these prayers “autistic prayers” because I become so focused on my own little world that the rest of life seems to disconnect.

Then I listen to Noah’s bedtime prayers…

“C’mon, Noah, climb into bed. All right. You pray first; then I’ll pray. Okay?”

“Dear-heav’ly-Father, thank You fer Judah, Dad, Mom, and Noah. Thank You fer Hermie and Wormie (Max Lucado stories) and…good-night-sleep. Thank You fer no school tomorrow. Thank You fer being close to me. In-Jesus’-name-amen.”

*****

Ahhh…so sweet. So genuine. So simple.

“Thanks, LORD. I needed that.”