When it comes to talking to God many people fall into a religious way of thinking. They think about what they should say. But God isn’t looking for correct religious behaviour. He simply wants honesty. God wants us to have a personal relationship with him. In a relationship you must communicate how you feel. This is the best way to start. You might feel very disappointed with God. You might feel that God has let you down. If this is the case, then complain about this to God. God wants you to tell him exactly how you feel. There is nothing like a bit of honesty to get your prayer life started! We can tend to think that we have to be polite with God. The psalmists were not polite with God and through them God is saying that he does not need politeness, he just wants honesty. The psalmists were always respectful, but they came before God with a childlike boldness. If this is how they approached God, how much more should we who have such free access to God through Jesus Christ. On this basis the writer of Hebrews exhorts us saying, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace” (4:16). The psalms express this very childlike, faith-filled, boldness. Open your heart to God and tell him exactly how you feel. Complain to God if it feels like he is far away and inactive in your life. Are there prayers that remain unanswered? Turn up the volume, keep banging on that door until God responds.
Pray for something that you have given up on praying for.
Read Psalm 43
