Imaginary Conversation
My youngest granddaughter, River, is almost two. The other day, she brought her mom’s phone to her and asked, “Papa?”
So Erica FaceTimed me and gave the phone to her. I answered, and we talked for a bit (though River’s talk was mostly gibberish). When I hung up and my face disappeared from the screen, she got upset. Erica texted me that River threw a fit when I disappeared. So I took a selfie and texted it to her and said, “Just give her the phone with this on it.”
She did, and River had a good gibberish conversation with my selfie on her mom’s iPhone screen. After a couple of minutes of me not responding, she got bored and dropped the phone, moving on to something else.
I think a lot of people feel like praying is that way—like they are in a one-way conversation and it isn’t going anywhere. So they give up on it.
I’ve never heard God’s audible voice. And you won’t hear me say things like, “God told me to _____.” And honestly, I’m skeptical when others say those things.
But I don’t for a minute believe that prayer is a one-way conversation. We have an interactive God who loves to commune with His people.
So how can you make your prayer life interactive?
Incorporate Scripture reading in your praying time. God speaks primarily through His Word. If you are praying and reading, you’ll hear from Him.
Spend time in quietness, reflecting on God’s Word, listening for the Holy Spirit to quietly speak to you on the inside.
Pray with expectation. James 1 tells us to pray for wisdom, believing that God will answer. When you expect to hear from God, you’ll be paying attention to how He speaks through His Word and impressions from the Holy Spirit.
Journal. There’s something special about writing down what you are praying for and paying attention over time to how God answers.
Keep at it. Patience, along with persistence, is the key, according to Jesus. In Matthew 7, He tells us to “keep on asking,” “keep on seeking,” and “keep on knocking.” When you do, He says, “you will receive,” “you will find,” and “the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT).
Talking to God is not an imaginary conversation. He is listening. And He’s eager to hear from you. But He’s also interactive and eager to speak to you as well. But it takes ears of faith and a mind and heart focused on Him—listening carefully and obeying His leading.