Prayer & Conversation
I don’t always put these two words together, but it seems to me that Paul did that on purpose. I’ve always thought of prayer as conversation with God. Another angle to explore is praying prior to conversation. I’ve also prayed for a “heavy weight” conversation that was difficult. I should really pray over every conversation so that the Lord can speak clearly through my everyday conversation as well as heighten my listening skills. As I get older, my hearing has dropped off, (too much loud music) but my listening skills have improved – go figure!
Paul also urges that in prayer I should watch and be thankful. Check this out…
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6 NIV)
I’m a devoted student of the Word. I now need to be a devoted prayer warrior. I do pray every day, but I’m not sure I’m devoted to praying. As I’m praying I need to be watchful and thankful – talk about multi-tasking! I do believe that spending time in the Word of God has changed many conversations as well as deepened my prayer life. I also believe my study has heightened my awareness of God’s Power, His Purpose and His Presence! My time with the Lord can enhance my conversational abilities. I can be thankful as well as notice non-verbal conversation and communication. The Holy Spirit can prompt me on something that needs to be said at just the right time. Prayer and conversation do work together and compliment one another quite well!
Pressing On! Dwayne
Amen and amen!
In fact, if I am ever asked to pray for a certain event or situation and have advance notice of this then I pray about praying. This may seem redundant or silly to some but if prayer is conversation and we are called to choose our words carefully when we are in the company of others then shouldn’t I seek direction for my speech?
If I don’t know what to say (and I don’t) and must rely on the Holy Spirit to direct my thoughts (and He does) then shouldn’t I always seek His guidance?
Thanks Dwayne. Your prose are always challenging and thought provoking – as everyone’s should be. Keep it up!