Spending time with God is critical.

Why?

Prayer is the number one spiritual struggle people talk with me about.

What They Say?

When people discuss prayer with me, they talk about things like:

  • They may pray but they sense something is missing.
  • Some can't seem to pray at all. They can't find the time, energy, or desire to pray. Yet, they know they should.
  • Others talk about prayer but what they are really doing is telling God what they want. I've talked about that here. They wonder why their prayer feels empty.

What's The Problem?

If we just look at the surface of the struggle, prayer is the problem; at least that is how it seems. However, prayer is not the real problem.

The Real Problem

The real problem is knowing God.

Oh sure, God hears people when they pray. But spending time with God to know God is much more than God hearing. It is God being present with you and you being present with God.

Personal Relationships

Relationships are built by spending time with one another.

Some people hit it off right away. Call it chemistry. Call it great minds think alike. It's like they were made for each other (even in friendships).

For others it takes time. They may spend a few minutes in conversation one day. More time the next meeting. Then as time continues the time they spend together grows.

For some, it may not be the amount of time but the depth of time they give to each other.

Regardless, the common denominator is some type of time together - quality or quantity.

A Relationship With God

Having a relationship with God isn't any different. You must spend some type of time - quality or quantity - with God.

Just as you would with a friend, you must be present with God. You may tell God what's on your mind, what you have been doing, and other experiences, but you have to allow God to do the same with you.

I have found once you have a relationship with God, "prayer" really becomes a churchy word. It is no longer "prayer" to you, it is about spending time with your best friend.

Just at you are eager to spend time with your personal friends, you become eager to spend time with God.

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. 

Matthew 13:44-46

NRSV


Treasure and Pearls

I treasure my time with God.

I would apologize to all my personal friends, but that would be dishonest. I treasure my time with God more than I do with my personal friends.

I can think of nothing better to do than to spend time with God.

A lot of people don't understand that, but it is true for me.

Many people think I should be busy doing this or doing that. They think I'm being lazy. They don't understand when there is so much to do.

What they don't understand is that I am doing something. I am spending time with God which is far more important than anything else I can think of.

Spending Time With God Is Critical

If prayer is the problem, the most important thing you can do is develop a relationship with God. The only way to build a relationship with God is to spend time with God. And, there is nothing more important than that.

About

Toby Lofton

Pastor, Teacher, Author.

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