Let’s face it: in our relationships, we don’t always put
in the face time that we should. WE don’t communicate and talk about the big
issues until it’s almost too late. Is your prayer life like that? We thank God
for a meal, a good day’s work, and Friday (especially if it’s pay day). But our
prayers change when life gets tough. All of a sudden we pray like crazy –
right? If you’ve been in touch with God about the big stuff all along, though,
the tough times are a lot easier to handle.
Effective prayer gets us through life just like
communication guides a relationship. Whenever I find one of my relationships struggling,
I keep open lines of communication and strive to share my heart – and the heart
of God – with the other person. Here are four keys to keeping effective and
godly communication alive and well in your relationships:
1.
Seek Him
now! “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of
love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the
Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12).
2.
Tackle
tough issues together. “Then if my people who are called by my name will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will
hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land” (2
Chronicles 7:14)
3.
Seek wise
counsel. “When the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is,
the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything
I have told you” (John 14:26).
4.
Press for
His blessings. “Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know
him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of down or the coming of
rains in early spring” (Hosea 6:3).
Prayer: Thank
you for giving us your Holy Spirit to help us communicate with you and others.
Don’t let me sin by letting anger gain control of me. Give me the strength to
fight for my relationships today!
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