I’m not sure if anyone else is like me when they pray.
I say a prayer and share my thoughts, my requests, my blessings, and all the other things I want to say to God. I finish up, say “Amen,” and go on my way feeling successful in my prayer time.
Successful… until I realized I was missing an extremely important part of prayer.
The very part I talk about all the time when it comes to communication.
The most important part of communication isn’t speaking—it’s listening.
When we communicate with others, aren’t we doing so to build a relationship? Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be doing in prayer—communicating with God and building a relationship?
If I’m being honest, I’ve been pretty rude to God in our conversations.
I tell Him everything on my mind, say “Amen,” and move on with my day.
But I don’t sit. I don’t stay. I don’t give Him time to speak so I can listen and hear what He wants to say to me.
Those quiet moments—when the noise of life fades and it’s just Him and me—those are the moments I’ve been missing.
My challenge to each of us is to reflect on our prayer life and our communication with God.
Ask yourself: Am I being rude by not giving God the opportunity to speak to me?
Sometimes we’re waiting for God to answer… but we’ve been too busy talking to actually listen.
Build a strong relationship with God.
And as you do, don’t forget the most important part—
Listen.