“A single conversation across the table with a wise man is better than
ten years merely studying books.” ~ Anonymous
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Communication is the key structure to all of society. It is the way we communicate and coexist with everyone else. Good communication is the basis of a lasting relationship. With it we have the capability to share intimately with our best friends, share our needs or wants, and be a meaningful part of someone else’s life. Imagine a life without a way to communicate your feelings?
The ability to communicate is often taken for granted and we just expect people to know what we want from them. Although God DOES know what we want from Him, there is still nothing more important than our communication with Him.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6
Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
My Child,
Communication with you is important to my relationship with you. I love it when you talk to Me about your life, your hopes, and your dreams. Pray without ceasing, for I am always here to listen and respond to your prayers. I enjoy the time you spend with me in prayer—earnest prayer for a need you have, prayers of thanksgiving and praise, and times when you simply want to talk to Me. You can pray at any time. You don’t need an invitation or a formal occasion to pray. Just come to Me; I am always here waiting for you.
~ GOD
Prayer from A Pocketful of Promises for Women
He WANTS to hear our requests. How else could we build a lasting relationship? First, what we must realize is that supplication should not just be a recitation of wishes to God.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8
Prayer furthers our pursuit towards building a dynamic relationship with Him. Furthermore, God knows the future, but He tells us that our prayers produce results.
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Isaiah 65:24
Finally, it is through prayer that we become completely dependent upon the Lord.
A one-way conversation will never be good enough to sustain a relationship. Likewise, we cannot continue our walk with God without listening to him. As prayer is our primary communication with our Heavenly Father, the Bible is His main way to communicate with us.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
To grow in our faith we have to study what the Bible is saying. However, too often we decide against it. We could come up with reasons why we shouldn’t—mainly I don’t have time, or I already know the Bible stories. For those who have grown up in church, the second statement can really have an effect. After so many times of hearing the same things, they sometimes no longer seem as important. The key is seeing the importance. These were real people! These things really happened to them!
For the word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12a
Why SHOULD we read our Bible?
1. It Makes Us Much Wiser – It’s a book full of all kinds of advice. From relationships to money to how to get along with your parents.
2. It Helps Us Overcome Sin and Temptations – When we read our bible, we get advice on how to approach situations and overcome the temptations we face. We understand what we’re supposed to do rather than just guessing and hoping we get it right.
3. Reading Our Bible Gives Us Peace – Reading the Bible can help us sort through all the craziness to see what’s really important. It can bring about peace in our lives rather than allowing us to wallow in our confusion.
4. The Bible Gives Us Direction – When we read our Bible’s we can clearly see that God has a purpose for us at every state of our lives.
5. It Builds a Relationship with God – Reading our Bibles gives us insight into God. We can pray on scripture verses. We can talk to God about things we’re reading. We grow in an understanding of God as we read and grasp more of His Word.
6. It Brings Us Back to Faith, Rather than Religion – We can get very caught up in our religion. We can go through all the motions that religion dictates, but it means nothing without faith. When we read our Bible, we open ourselves up to remembering our faith.
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
It is all too easy to tell ourselves that God knows what we would pray already or that we already know the Bible stories, but this will leave us with an immature relationship with Christ. It is through memorizing scripture, strengthening our prayer life, and digging into the Bible that our faith will grow.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4
Nothing should become more important than getting into the Word and the Word into us. We will suffer the spiritual consequences of not feeding on the Word of God as we would suffer the physical consequences of not having a regular meal.
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13-14
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If having a conversation with a wise man is greater than studying books, why do we not take the time to talk to our omniscient Heavenly Father?
I Can Only Imagine 