I can\u2019t believe how 80s I am.<\/p>\n
Every time I think, or hear, the phrase \u201cYou\u2019ve got to pray,\u201d I envision MC Hammer<\/span><\/span> <\/span>pants. That can\u2019t be healthy.<\/p>\n But, here we go\u2026 You\u2019ve got to pray (just to make it today\u2026 wow, it is an illness).<\/p>\n Communication is essential to any relationship, and without it the relationship will wither and die. Or, at least go into a period of hibernation until the spring thaw.[youtube 7xNSgBkum7o nolink]<\/p>\n What is communication? When we think about prayer this is the bigger question, because I think we have too often pigeon-holed our definition a prayer to being a close-eyed, bowed-head recitation of our forgiveness requests followed by a listing of our most common wants disguised as needs.<\/p>\n Where\u2019s the interplay? Where the dialogue? Where\u2019s the relationship?<\/p>\n That definition of prayer would never fly as real communication in marriage. Guarantee you. Try it. Wait, don\u2019t try it. I don\u2019t have any counseling slots left, and you\u2019d need it after that.<\/p>\n Granted, it\u2019s difficult to have a conversation when God does not respond verbally, but if you listen, He does speak.<\/p>\n The Psalms are great expressions of human prayer. About every other Psalm begins with God hear me, listen to me, or I cry out. Then there\u2019s usually a verse or two about being ignored by God, but always ends up with, \u201cMy bad, guess you were listening.\u201d<\/p>\n By the way that verse is in the NMACSV, otherwise known as the New Middle Aged Cool Speak Version. Get a copy, all your friends are doing it.<\/p>\n That pattern in the Psalms may be a little oversimplified, but it is a very real motif that connects quite accurately to the human condition.<\/p>\n I recently encountered this pattern in Psalm 5, and found an incredible help for my personal prayer life in verse three:<\/p>\n Psalm 5:3 (NIV)<\/p>\n In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;<\/p>\n in the morning I lay my requests before you<\/p>\n and wait in expectation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n While this is not the end all, be all of lessons on prayer, it is a great beginning.<\/p>\n First, the Psalmist says, \u201cIn the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice.\u201d<\/strong> The key to good communication is to know you are being heard.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve heard the expression before \u201cMy prayers were bouncing off the ceiling.\u201d Well, when we say that it\u2019s like we\u2019re saying of God, \u201cIt\u2019s like talking to a brick wall!\u201d<\/p>\n Note: not a good relational tactic\u2026 questioning God\u2019s attention span, that is.<\/p>\n Sure, we all struggle with the material speaking to the immaterial. It\u2019s hard to connect our flesh to His Spirit, but we\u2019ve been given a promise.<\/p>\n He is listening.<\/p>\n As tough as it is sometimes, we need to approach our times of prayer with the confidence to know, and believe, \u201cyou hear my voice.\u201d<\/p>\n We\u2019re not just talking to ourselves\u2026 God hears you.<\/p>\n\n