What Kind Of Relationship Do We Want? – Sunday Thought For The Day

On the opening blank pages of my bible I’ve written quotes, lyrics from hymns, and spiritual maxims that I find of particular help/importance in my Christian walk.  One such, is a quote by François Fénelon, the 17th century French Catholic archbishop, theologian, poet and writer.

While there are many areas that I would disagree with his theology, his simplistic instruction about how to talk to God. i.e., pray, I find nothing to dispute.  Fénelon wrote:

“Tell God all that is in your heart as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and pains to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys that He may sober them; tell Him your longings that He may purify them.  Talk to Him of your temptations that He may shield you from them. Show Him the wounds of the heart that He may heal them. If you thus pour out all your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say.”

Praying is sharing our most intimate joys, sorrows, concerns, needs, desires and so forth with He, alone that can be trusted to never betray same; but it is also just enjoying quiet conversations with our Lord.

I do not know the author but, one of the great truths about prayer and talking to God that I have read is: “Talk with God, no breath is lost. Walk with God, no strength is lost. Wait for God, no time is lost. Trust in God, you will never be lost; and when you cannot sleep – talk to God.”

Many has been the night that I have fallen asleep repeating scriptures as I talk to my Heavenly Father.  I can tell you those are tender moments spent with my Father in heaven.  It’s not because I’m having trouble going to sleep; it is because I want to spend time talking to my Father in heaven as I eventually drift off to sleep.

It is a truism that we cannot draw close to God unless we spend time in His presence.  The more time we spend talking and sharing with our Lord, the closer our relationship with Him will be.

The question we should ask ourselves, is do we really want to have a close and abiding relationship with our God and our Savior?  Or, are we just content with a superficial casual, I’ll call you when I need something relationship?

READ:

Psalm 5:1-12 (KJV)

5 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

12 For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.