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Prayers That Connect
Nine approaches to getting heart-to-heart with God
by Sandra Picklesimer Aldrich
 1 of 4
Early in my widowhood, as I prayed with my son and daughter about a possible move, I ended the prayer with "Thank you, God, that you'll show us what to do."
As I stood up, my then twelve-year-old daughter, Holly, said, "Mom, you didn't say, 'Amen.'"
I nodded. "That's because the Lord and I are going to talk about this all day long."
We did, toowhile I was driving, washing dishes, and waiting in the dentist's office. Eventually my children and I made a cross-country move that opened a new career for me. But, more important, I'd begun a new adventure in connecting with God.
Here's what I've learned about prayer along the way.
1 We do not pray to air.
In Colorado Springs, where I live, majestic Pike's Peak rises above the city. On those rare days when clouds obscure the Peak, we don't wander around saying, "I knew it was too good to last. The Peak is gone!" We know the Peak is there, though we can't see it. It's the same with God. He's working even when we can't see his hand.
2 Jump right in.
Reading all the books on prayer and listening to the world's greatest intercessors mean nothing if we don't start talking to God ourselves. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we can talk to our heavenly Father just as we talk to a good friend.
Jana (not her real name) remembers her grandparents' prayers filled with sacred sounding "thees" and "thous" that made her feel uncomfortable about approaching God. She says her attitude changed only when she tried to start a stubborn lawnmower and sighed a simple "Lord, I really need your help." The resulting catch of the engine thrust her into a new awareness of his presence.
3 There's no "right" way to pray.
Perhaps you've heard the five Ps: Be in the same place for prayer each day, during the same period of time; use the same posture; select a Scripture passage; then pray. Those are good suggestions, but it's important to concentrate on the privilege of prayer rather than on the process.
Years ago, as I explained a workplace dilemma to a friend, he leaned back in his chair, put his hands behind his head, and said, "Let's give this to the Lord right now." Then he proceeded, with eyes wide open, to pray.
Startled, I put my head down, folded my hands, and squeezed my eyes closed. Still, I knew my friend continued gazing out the window, talking to the One who'd created all that beauty. Amazed by his physical boldness and spiritual humility, I thought about prayer in a new way. Today, I readily pray with my eyes openon walks with a friend or on the telephone as I encourage a troubled caller.
4 Pray as you'd talk to a friend.
My Kentucky grandmother, Mama Farley, talked to God so naturally that often I'd meander into our kitchen expecting to see a neighbor, but discover it was just Mama and the Lord discussing the day.
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