Your choice – To be close or distant?

By Cindy Tan, Malaysia

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long (Ps 25:4-5).

The Psalms have a way of capturing the reality of our human experience. Often, we could find in this collection a prayer or praise that echoes our inmost being. In Psalm 25:4-5, David asked for instruction and guidance. He was talking to his God. That is what we call prayer. Alexander Whyte once said, “Prayer is a rising up and a drawing near to God in mind and in heart and in spirit.”

In this fast-paced world, it is very tempting to hurry through our prayers. We pray as quickly as we gobble up our breakfast or pop in our vitamins. However, we simply cannot do that in prayer, or we will miss out on what God is trying to say to us. Can you imagine rushing through conversations with your spouse, your children or friends, day after day? Such conversations will not establish close bonds; the relationship will remain distant.

However, when we learn to savor our communion with God, we can actually talk to Him about everything and anything, such as crying on His shoulder about the things that break our hearts, or even laughing with Him as we relate funny events to Him. In such an atmosphere, we express our love for Him and receive His love in return. There is relief and peace knowing that He has searched our hearts and shown us the way.

In prayer, it is important that we always pause and listen…and listen again because effective and fruitful prayer with God is two-way. By having this two-way conversation, we get to know the heart of God and gain the privilege of knowing His concerns. God can reveal things or His plans to us in bits and pieces or as a whole. Either way, we must be willing to obey His instructions. As we obey, He is able to use us as His voice, His hands and His feet to bless others with the gift of salvation or restoration.

May I encourage you to intentionally block out time to enjoy your conversation with God as David did. You too, can ask God to show you His ways, and to teach and guide you in His truth daily.

9 replies
    • Fayemiwo, Oluwaseun
      Fayemiwo, Oluwaseun says:

      @steamedchicken…It’s a good thing you want to hear from God, not everyone get to hear voices, but God speaks through his word, he could speak through a friend or through the turn of events. Obedience is more important and willingness to please the spirit of God in our every action. Don’t be discouraged you don’t hear voices, be rest assured God hears your prayers and he is providing solutions.

  1. min xiong
    min xiong says:

    Attending this Thursday or Friday mission service in church,pray for God’s guilding to attend one of the service,amen

    Reply
  2. Rosemary Wangari
    Rosemary Wangari says:

    I have been hurrying my prayers almost every morning. I am glad to have read this message. I have started to challenge myself to have enough time to talk to God and read His Word.

    Reply
    • min xiong
      min xiong says:

      ‘Daily bread’ is a guide to read the whole Bible(new and old testament)within a year,amen

  3. min xiong
    min xiong says:

    Thank God,have distribute tract.Pray for God’s guide to have a job according to his will,not my will,ask in the name of Lord Jesus,amen

    Reply
    • min xiong
      min xiong says:

      Thank God,work starts on first of next month,also thank God for able to worship on sunday,Easter,Christmas day,rest on public holidays and working hours is 6,our God listen to prayers,amen

  4. jerico
    jerico says:

    God want us to have a personal relation in Him. Prayer is one way to gain this. Let us not forget our time with Him.

    Reply

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