The Second Birth: New BelieversSample

 Open Lines of Communication 

Learning how to pray is like learning a foreign language—just not nearly as hard! The best way to learn it is to hang out in an environment where the language is spoken. You must take the time to do it, spend time with those who know how to do it, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you. 

God wants prayer to be an easy, natural, life-giving way of communicating with Him. Prayer is nothing more than talking to God and listening to what He has to say to you. Here are three principles for effective prayer: Make Christ the center of your life,  fill your mind with Scripture, and before you ask, examine your heart. 

Whatever your request and however pure your motives, God can sort it all out. You can trust Him to respond wisely. Trust that if God doesn’t answer in the way you’d like, He knows what He’s doing and has very good reasons. By letting Him work through your prayers you begin to realize that He truly is with you, and you develop a deeper level of intimacy and trust with Him.

Hearing and recognizing God’s voice is the most important thing you can learn how to do. It’s like having an intimate conversation with a friend in a noisy, crowded place. Whether God speaks to you though the Scriptures, through a friend, or through your thoughts, He’s always communicating with the heart that seeks Him. One word from God—just one—can change your entire outlook.