“Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalms 27:7-8 NLT
Most may think of prayer as a request line. I get it. We’re needy people with some kind of calamity happening somewhere all-the-time. Daniel or Ezra (the scribe) reminds us that prayer is far more than a vending machine or even a confessional booth. The Psalmist records these moments of intimacy, writing “my heart has heard you say.”
As I have grown in my faith, my relationship with God has drastically changed. I slowly spend time in His Word, listening, not rushed, like I’m cramming for a test. Even as I feel the sun or the wind on my face, I am reminded of Him. I hear birds singing and I remember that birds only sing when safe. I recognize that I can do the same, because I am safe in His presence.
Now, whether I hear the sweet whispers inviting me to come or I just grab a few moments and let Him know what I am feeling or how grateful I am for His love. I either answer like the Psalmist, “Lord, I am coming,” or announce to Him, “Lord, here I come.” It is such a sweet conversation when there’s no real agenda. It has to be very much like Adam who walked with God in the cool of the evening. Prayer can take me back (or even forward) to Eden, when innocence and wonder fill our days.
Walking with my grandgirls as toddlers, I remember their curiousness and questions that stopped us every few steps. I was just happy to be with them, watching them grow in their understanding of this world. It is interesting to think that prayer, chats with God, may come to a point that we are conversing more than giving or receiving. That I just want to spend time with God and without needing anything but Him in those moments. I see those moments, those days ahead and I am excited to say, “Lord, I am coming.”
Prayer
Dad,
I think that spending time with you in your Word has brought an anchor to my restless soul, a place of calm delight. A place to not just be challenged, but cherished by the Holy Spirit. I’ve enjoyed these moments and it has allowed me to take time to remember to just talk over things with you. Sure, much of it is handing over the mundane mire of minutia happening far too often. However, it is also a time of opening up, softening up my soul to just chat about anything and everything with you. For this, I am thankful.