Relationship and Prayer

James 4:8 “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” ~CSB

We hear the term, ‘relationship’ tossed around in church all the time. When it’s in the air like that do we actually catch it, or even try? If not, let’s see if I can catch it for you and give it to you. When we think about the action of ‘relationship’, think about it in the form of a question. For instance, what if someone asked you, “Hey, how well do you know your mama?” Wow, what a question! Our first reaction may be a feeling of being insulted. Who has the right to ask another about their mother? We ponder, ‘what are they trying to say?’ 'That’s my mama you talking about!' Feelings of frustration and curiosity to know why we are asked a question like that. Why, because we know our mothers.

Now, let’s take that same question and put it a little different. “How well do you know Jesus?” Our reaction to this is much different. We come up with a lot of excuses to defend why we are Christians, “I got to church ‘every’ Sunday.” I ‘read’ my Bible!’ ‘I do Bible Study every week!’ But none of these excuses have the conviction we had when someone asked about how well we knew our own mothers. That, brother and sisters, is the example of ‘relationship’. 

If we do not have the same conviction about God, in the question asked, that we had when asked about our own mothers, we need to change some things up in our lives. When asked, “How well do you know God…” we should be ready to give a defense to how we feel! We should tell others about John 3:16, that God loves us so much that He sacrificed His One and Only Son. That we believe in this with all our hearts. And we show this and testify to this by sharing our relationship with God and what He has done in our lives.

And if we are not there yet. In other words if we seek that godly relationship with the Father then we should pray for it. David helps us with our prayer in Psalm 143:8-12. Just ask God in thanksgiving following these scriptures in Psalm: Ask him to give us the experience of His love in the mornings when we wake. Ask Him to reveal to us the way we should travel in this world on the path He chose for us. Ask Him to rescue and protect us from our enemies. Go to Him for protection. And ask Him to teach us how to do His will in this world and lead us on ‘...level ground…’

Our relationship with God is important in how He uses His power within us. Not only to bless us, but others around us; our families, friends, co-workers and strangers. God wants all his children to have a chance at salvation and His best work is done through us. It is up to us to build that strong relationship with God. Just like we did with our mothers. Take the initiative to draw closer to God, and He will draw closer to you.

May God bless and keep you safe, loved and healed in His Son Jesus’ name.

Amen

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