God with Us: Prayer as Real Conversation
- Bob Hayes
- Sep 23
- 5 min read
Have you ever wondered what prayer really is? Maybe you’ve dismissed it as something religious people do, or perhaps you’ve tried it but felt like you were talking to the ceiling. What if I told you that prayer might be the most natural thing you could do as a human being?
What Is Prayer, Really?
At its core, prayer is simply communication between you and God. Think of it like this: good communication leads to understanding, understanding builds trust, and trust deepens love. This pattern works in every meaningful relationship we have—with spouses, friends, even coworkers. Why would our relationship with our Creator be any different?
But here’s what might surprise you: this isn’t just religious theory. Recent scientific research, including work by Dr. Lisa Miller, in The Awakened Brain, shows that human beings are literally wired for spiritual connection. That sense of connection? It’s scientifically demonstrated to be the single most protective factor against many forms of depression.
Reflect: What has been your previous understanding or experience of prayer? How does this perspective challenge or confirm what you’ve believed?
Jesus Challenges Our Assumptions
When Jesus taught about prayer, he was essentially deconstructing the religious misconceptions of his day. He pointed out two major mistakes people were making—mistakes we still make today.
Mistake #1: Praying for the Wrong Audience
The first group Jesus addressed were the religious leaders who prayed publicly to impress others. They loved to pray in synagogues and on street corners “that they may be seen by others.” Sound familiar? In our social media age, this might look like spiritual posting for likes and shares rather than genuine connection.
Jesus wasn’t condemning all public prayer—there’s absolutely a place for community prayer. But he was highlighting something crucial: the deepest, most transformative communication happens in private. Just like in marriage, certain conversations need to happen between just the two of you to build real intimacy.
When you make your private relationship with God into a public performance, you miss the essence of what makes that relationship deep and life-changing.
Reflect: What would it look like practically for you to “go into your room and shut the door” for private communication with God?
Mistake #2: Thinking God Needs Convincing
The second group Jesus addressed were those who “heap up empty phrases” and think “they will be heard for their many words.” These were people who believed repetitive, lengthy prayers would somehow get God’s attention or twist His arm.
But Jesus reveals something beautiful: “Your father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Imagine: when your child comes to you, do they need to beg for your attention? Do they need to repeat themselves over and over to prove they’re serious? Of course not. The moment they approach you, your heart melts, and you’re ready to listen.
That’s how God feels about you.
Reflection Question: If you truly believed that God delights in your approach to him (like a loving parent with their child), how might that change your hesitation about prayer?
The Radical Truth About God’s Accessibility
Here’s what Jesus was really saying: God isn’t some distant deity managing the universe from a high tower. He’s Emmanuel—God with us. He’s accessible, reachable, and genuinely interested in a relationship with you.
In John 15, Jesus says something revolutionary: “I no longer call you servants... Instead, I have called you friends.” Think about that moment when someone you deeply respect suddenly treats you as an equal, when you realize they genuinely enjoy your company. That’s the invitation God extends to you.
This flies in the face of the common picture many of us have of God—that He’s “up there” while we’re “down here,” that He’s too important or too busy for our small concerns. Jesus obliterates this lie. God wants to be among us, with us, accessible to us.
Prayer Isn’t a Vending Machine
One of the biggest misconceptions about prayer is that it’s our opportunity to present our shopping list to God. While God certainly cares about our needs (what matters to you matters to Him), that’s not the primary purpose of prayer.
Prayer is about relationship building. Sometimes you’ll get specific answers to specific requests. Sometimes you won’t. But you’re always heard, you always matter, and you’ll always walk away from genuine prayer more whole than when you came.
As one of our hosts shared: “I know the shopping list. Let’s go to the deep stuff. Let’s talk about that thing at work or that issue you’re wrestling with inside your heart. Let’s process this stuff from childhood that still haunts you.”
Reflect: What deep concerns, fears, or hopes have you been carrying that you might be invited to process with God rather than trying to manage alone?
Your Value in God’s Eyes
In our world, your value to someone often depends on what you can offer them. But with God, you’re valuable simply because you exist. Whether you’re in the deepest valley, struggling with failure, or even when you’re living outside of harmony with God—you still matter to Him.
This isn’t conditional love based on performance. This is the love of a Creator who pursued a relationship with humanity from the very beginning, walking with Adam and Eve in the garden, longing for that same intimate connection with you.
Reflection Questions (SMAR)
As you consider what you’ve just read, let’s walk through a simple framework for engaging with these truths:
See the Beauty of God’s Character
Look beyond any distorted pictures you might have of God. See Him as Jesus revealed Him—accessible, loving, genuinely interested in friendship with you.
Meditate on What You See
Spend time reflecting on this invitation to relationship. What would it mean for your life if the Creator of the universe genuinely wanted to be in daily communication with you?
Accept it as Your Very Own
Don’t let this remain an interesting idea. Accept that this invitation is personally extended to you, right where you are, with whatever you’re carrying.
Rest in the Daily Rhythm
Begin the practice of being fully known and fully loved by God. This isn’t about perfect prayers or religious performance—it’s about showing up authentically in relationship.
Your Next Step
If you’ve never tried prayer, or if you’ve been frustrated with prayer in the past, consider this your personal invitation. You don’t need special words, religious training, or perfect faith. You just need to show up as yourself and begin a conversation with the One who already knows your heart.
Remember: you don’t have to get God’s attention—you already have it. You don’t have to convince him to care about you—he already does. You simply need to accept the invitation to friendship He’s been extending all along.
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