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Get to Know Him, Part 2

Yesterday, we touched on getting to know Jesus by paying attention to how He lived. I think most of us would agree that it is also vital to talk to someone in order to really get to know them. You have to ask them questions, hear what’s important to them, and share your own struggles and excitement to really be close with them. This is what we, as Jesus followers, do through prayer. By communicating with God through prayer, we grow closer to Him.

Psalms, the longest book in the Bible, is a collection of songs and prayers that people wrote down for our benefit. Throughout the 150 chapters, we see different writers express all kinds of emotions to God: incredible joy, awe and wonder, depression, regret, grief, anger, and hope. We learn through these many examples that prayer is bringing our real selves and situations to God. It’s also shifting our focus from ourselves and our situations to God. 

Think about it. Getting to know someone requires authenticity. To use a buzzword, it requires vulnerability. That means we take the risk of opening ourselves up to someone and showing them who we really are. We give them the opportunity to either accept or reject not only what we offer, but who we are at the core. The thought of that possible rejection can be incredibly scary, I know. But the beautiful thing about opening ourselves up to God is that He will never (NEVER) reject us. When we are vulnerable about our mistakes, He is faithful and just to forgive us. When we are vulnerable about our fears, He offers His perfect love which drives out fear. When we share our sadness, He moves even closer because He is near to the brokenhearted. 

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you …” James 4:8 ESV. That really sums it up perfectly. 

So, because of what Jesus did for us when He died on the cross, taking our sin and giving us His righteousness, we get to come confidently into the presence of God and share what’s on our hearts and minds. He, as the good Father that He is, listens eagerly to His children. Not so that He can tease or reject us, but so that in His wisdom and power He can move in and through our lives for the best possible outcome. Does that mean we will always get what we want? No, we know that’s not good parenting; that’s spoiling. Sometimes what’s best isn’t even on our radar. But we can be hopeful and confident in this: Our good is always on God’s mind. So trust Him and talk to Him today!

Not sure how to start? Check out this video for some simple suggestions on having a conversation with God. Then take a step and pray out loud the prayer that Jesus taught His followers in Matthew 6:9-13.