This week Pastor Greg French joined us at Laneway and took us back to the words Jesus prayed from the cross. Jesus spoke to God as Father. Through His finished work, the way to the Father has been opened, inviting us into a relationship where prayer is communion before communication, relationship before request, and listening as much as speaking.
Pastor Greg encouraged us to rethink some of the expectations we can place around prayer. Its power is not measured by a stopwatch or by how many words we can say. Jesus prayed short, powerful prayers and at other times spent entire nights with the Father. What mattered was the connection. Rather than feeling condemned by what we haven't done, we can begin where we are, creating space to talk with God, listen to Him and allow a hunger for His presence to grow.
This changes prayer from an appointment we attend into a relationship we live. We can speak with God while driving, before a meeting, when someone comes to mind, as we make decisions or simply as we notice His goodness throughout the day. As that relationship deepens, prayer strengthens us, changes what is happening within us and helps us hear the heartbeat of God for the people around us.
Prayer is an invitation to draw close to the Father with authenticity, love and intentionality, and discover that the closer we get, the more of Him we want.
