5 Ways To Get Closer To God In 2023 (Part 3)

Part 3
Written By: Tamika Mahomes

3. Connect With God Through Prayer

While we have journeyed through the importance of meeting with God through daily devotion and keeping his word through meditating on the word, prayer is another vital piece in our journey as believers.

We often make prayer seem like a task or something daunting, but the truth about prayer is that it is simply talking to God. We spend much of our day talking to people, such as our co-workers, friends and family. For most, these conversations are not approached with fear but rather confidence and freedom in expressing ourselves. The truth is that meeting with God is no different.

Prayer allows us to meet with God just as we are, understanding that just as we are is how he accepts us. When we undersand that God accepts us with our flaws, we know that we do not have to go to God pretending to be someone/something we are not.

The Necessity Of Prayer

In prayer, we communicate with God. We share our heart's desires and emotions. Through prayer, we draw near to God and open our hearts to be met and transformed by the Heavenly Father. Prayer is a two way conversation. It not only allows us to talk to God, but also allows God to speak to us.

What Does The Bible Teach About Prayer?

1. We Are To Pray Always 

"Never stop praying" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

The Bible is simple in its explanation, NEVER STOP PRAYING! Prayer, is not meant to be something we only do to start our day, rather it should be a continual conversation throughout the day. In these continual pockets of prayer, we show our dependence and trust on and in someone bigger than us. Let God be a part of your day, never stop praying!

2. We Are To Pray About Everything

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

With God, nothing is off-limits. When we pray throughout the day, we should pray about everything. When we learn to pray about everything, we begin to exchange our anxieties and worries for God's strength. He is our listening ear. 

3. In Prayer We Trust Gods Will

God is not a magic genie. He is our Heavenly Father. And when we meet with him, we must understand this truth, God's will, supersedes ours. 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42 (NIV)

When Jesus prayed before his death, he asked God to take his suffering away, only IF it was his will. In his human nature, Jesus did not want to suffer, but rather than demand God do things his way, he chose to trust in God. Trusting God and his will can be hard. And while we often approach God with our list of prayers and desires, we must realize and trust that his will, not ours, prevails. In prayer we share our heart's desire, but, ultamitely, God's will is over all! ​

4. There is No Formula To How We Pray 

Pray does not have to sound well poised and put together. Prayer does not require that we follow a formula or script. Rather, we approach the Father, as we are and let him do the rest. Prayer lets us share our hearts to the Father, trust his plan for our lives, and allow him to move according to his will.

Connecting with God in prayer is necessary in our journey as believers. While prayer does not change who God is or what he does, God changes who we are and what we do. In prayer, we grow, change and become more like our Heavenly Father.

Join us back here next week for part 4!