Dear God,
“Dear God….”
“Don? Is that you? It has been a while since I have heard from you. Where have you been?”
“Well, Lord, I have this situation I need your help.”
“Yes, I know, and I will listen, but. . .where have you been?”
“You know, the usual places. Work, home, church. . .around.”
“What have you been doing, Don?
“Working, mostly. It seems that there is no end to the work. And the grandkids take up a lot of my time. Not to mention things to fix around the house. And the leaves—I think I am going to cut down all my trees! Plus, it seems that I spend 90 percent of my day in meetings. Why do you ask?”
“Don, it seems that I haven’t seen you much lately. It is good to hear from you.”
“I know. I feel bad about that, but I seem to have been able to get along okay until this situation came up. I guess that I don’t know what I would talk to you about other than my problems. What else is there to talk about?”
“Why can’t we just talk?”
“I want to, but I really need help with this problem. And I know you can fix it.”
“What if I want you to go through this problem instead of bailing you out of it? Maybe this is for your good so that you can see Me walk through it with you instead of taking it away from you. Did you ever think of that?”
“Not really, but now that you mention it. . .Okay, so let’s talk. What do we talk about? Is this going to take long?”
“It takes as long as it does. You see, when you are talking with someone you love, time has no meaning. In fact, I have all the time in the world—and even more. So, sit down and let’s talk.”
“Okay, Lord, where do we start?”
“How about this, Don: I will start, and you listen. Open your Bible to Isaiah 43 and listen to how much I love you. And notice how I know your name?”
But now thus says the LORD,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you.
Not sure how to pray? Open your Bible, read it, and let God start the conversation.
