Prayer: Talking with God

Be Blessed and Inspired
3 days ago
5 min read

Isaiah 43:10, “You are My witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘And My servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and believe Me And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me.’”

God’s Word is living and active. It is a written of revelation of God Himself; it reveals His essence, His power, authority, sovereignty, love, and mercy. The Bible discloses His purpose for this world and each of us individually. Throughout the ages God has spoken to His people face-to-face, through dreams and visions, through His Law and His prophets. Sometimes He speaks through His Holy Spirit with prompting and nudges upon our hearts. He always speaks through His Holy Word—which is the Bible. God truly wants to be known by us.

Hold up your Bible if you have it with you—we hold in our hands a love-letter from our Heavenly Father. He wants us to read it and come to believe, know, and understand Him better.

I want to share the stories of a few individuals from the Old Testament who had personal relationships with God. These people walked with God. The New Testament uses phrases like abide and remain in me to express the same idea of being closely connected to God.

Adam and Eve—In Genesis 3 we learn that God regularly visited the Garden of Eden to walk and talk with Adam and Eve—the first man and woman He created. His original intent was fellowship with His children, but sin entered in and disrupted their relationship. But God promised to send a Savior and restore them. His intentions for mankind have not changed. He wants an unhindered relationship with me and you.

Noah—Through the story of Noah, which is in found in Genesis 6-9, we read the phrase, “God said to Noah.” Amid a wicked and depraved world God did not leave Noah alone to fend for himself. God repeatedly spoke and gave him clear directions. Noah listened to the Lord’s voice and Scripture says, “Noah did all that the Lord commanded him” As a result, he was saved from judgment and abundantly blessed to say the least.

Like Noah, God speaks to us—He offers great knowledge and wisdom to help navigate this world, we need only listen for His voice and heed what He says.

Abraham—in Genesis 12:17 we find the words, “The Lord appeared to Abram and said.” Genesis 13:4 records that, “Abram called on the name of the Lord.” Throughout the book of Genesis, we see that God and Abraham spoke with one another about important matters. God made promises and Abraham believed them and let them lead the course of his life. Abraham even spoke to the Lord and interceded on behalf of his nephew Lot. We can talk to God about important matters too. We can confidently believe and claim His promises to us in prayer. We can intercede on behalf of loved ones.

Moses—Exodus 3:1-4, “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. ²There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. ³So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up.” ⁴When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”

God called Moses by name. Moses responded by drawing near to hear what God would say. The Lord gave Moses directions, and Moses openly communicated his fears and apprehension. God listened and equipped Moses for the task at hand—giving him signs and wonders, and a helper to come alongside. In Exodus 19:3, “Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain.” God spoke to Moses on top of Mount Sinai, giving Him the written Law for the Israelites to follow. In Exodus 32 we read that Moses interceded for the people with the LORD.

Exodus 33:7-11, “Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. ⁸And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. ⁹As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. ¹⁰Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. ¹¹The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.”

God and Moses talked about many things—God called Moses to Himself and Moses drew near to His Heavenly Father, just like we’re doing. Moses spoke honestly, sharing his fears, frustrations, concerns, anger. He pleaded on behalf of others. We are invited to this same kind of relationship. Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf has removed all barriers between us and God. We can approach our Heavenly Father with confidence; He knows our thoughts and our hearts, He sees our past, present, and future. Nothing you say to Him will surprise Him. He desires your authenticity not perfect prayers.

The stories from the Bible teach us about God and our relationship with Him.

Questions for us to ponder: How has the Bible helped you believe, know, and understand God more? How has it impacted your life?

Throughout the Bible God spoke and His people listened. God’s people prayed, cried out, sought His face, and God listened.

Jesus, the Son of God prayed to His Heavenly Father. If Jesus Christ prayed, then we should too.

God speaks to us through His Word, and we talk to Him through our prayers. Like every good relationship, communication is essential. We get to draw near to the God who created and knows us. How reassuring, comforting, and empowering! God calls to us from wherever we are. We cannot hide from His Presence or run from His love. He seeks, pursues, and woos us to Himself.

Let’s respond to His gracious invitation! Let’s eagerly come to the Father!