Keep Talking

Musings from the Garden

 by: Peggy Wyar

Praying, talking with Jesus, relating to God, having devotions, spending time alone with God - these are phrases that some use to describe the ongoing conversation that one can have with the Creator of all things. Since His children are promised that He is with them (Emmanuel), they can be assured that He hears their communication with Him every minute of each day.

I believe that God is present with me all the time. I can begin a conversation as soon as I wake up and continue it until I lay down to sleep. Sometimes I am alone with Him, talking out loud. Sometimes I am in a crowd conversing with Him in my mind. Sometimes I am listing my requests, and sometimes giving thanks for His answers. Sometimes I quiet myself to listen to His voice - He has much to say in His word through His Spirit.

Prayer takes many forms but each one becomes incense before the throne of heaven.

Revelations 5:8-10

“And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.  And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,”

 This incense of prayer is a pleasing aroma to Jesus. He receives each offering of prayer as proof of faith - I must believe He exists, that He is God and that He will answer me. (Hebrews 11:6)

 I’ve learned that God is always able and powerful enough to do whatever I ask according to His will, but He’s also sovereign, so He may choose to answer with a “no” or “not yet”. Even my seemingly unanswered prayers are not ineffective nor useless. They are part of the sweet, fragrant incense of heaven that continually honors my Lord.

 Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”