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by Kevin Pauley
But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. – Matthew 6:6 (NASB)
If I have learned one thing as a husband, it is the importance of having regular conversations with my wife. But if I have learned one thing as a father of five children, it is the near impossibility of finding private time to do this.
The importance of regular communication with God cannot be overestimated. It allows us to make sure that we are on the right track. The Teacher tells us: Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; turn your foot from evil[1].
But how do we do this? After all, the Teacher also says: There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death[2].
So, how do we manage? It’s like we’re walking through an old mine field. We know we have to be careful. We know that danger is lurking all around us, but we can’t see it. That step that seems so perfect could end up causing our destruction.
The Teacher shows us the way when He directed:
- The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps[3].
- He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord[4].
To have a successful relationship with someone, whether it is our spouse or our God, we must take the time to talk with them. We need to spend time getting to know them and being known by them. Christians call this conversation “prayer.” It is not something abstruse, though it is profound. It is easy enough that a child can do it, yet you can spend the rest of your life working at becoming a great conversationalist.
There is an old story about a man who made a daily habit of pulling up an empty chair and pretending that Christ was sitting in it, in order to enable him to remain better focused on his prayers.
One day the man became ill and at long last he died. But when his body was discovered, he was found to have pulled himself out of his bed and to have laid his head on that chair.
Prayer is not complicated. It’s just talking things over with God. Spend some time with Him. Let Him know where you are right now. Tell Him all about your troubles. Ask Him questions. Ask Him how His day has been. Open up your heart and just talk.
Kevin Pauley is a pastor and writer. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Lynn, their five children and two dogs. His internet address is Berea.
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