Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17.

Have you ever thought about Creator God’s – Father, Son, Spirit, way of being? Pray. What about our way of being? Do we need prayer? Have you been hurt? Are you confused? Do you ever wonder what is the point of everything? Do you ever wonder if God is real? Do you ever wonder if you are missing something important and essential and needed? Pray. David did. His prayers to God were recorded for us. Does God record our prayers? Psalm 142: I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before Him my complaint; before Him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me. Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. I cry to You, Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.” Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Set me free from my prison, that I may praise Your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of Your goodness to me.

What does prayer do? It brings us right to God. We begin by pouring out our need, our distress, our confusion and hurt. We cry out for God to help us. As we pour out to God our need, what is drained away is the effort to hold onto what is killing us. Anger, resentment, pain, fear. It’s kind of like a good cry. We are spent at the ending of it. And then there is room for God’s peace and His love healing every hurt. Why pray? To draw near to God who loves us and brings His healing into our hearts and minds. To realize we are never alone and God understands. If you ever doubt that God could understand your problems in this day and age, remember that He chose to live with us as one of us experiencing everything we experience and more. And He did that for you and me and for all of us. He welcomes your prayers. He loves to hear your words! Sometimes I struggle with praying and need to start all over. I tell Him I want to be real and honest. No platitudes…no flattery…my heart given in trust. Be real with our God and let Him be real with you. Let His love for you replace your fear of His judging you. What have you got to lose? Anger, resentment, pain, fear. What does God give generously? His love, His peace, His help. Be set free from your prison and…Pray! Know God’s goodness to you and then realize He wants that for all of us. Pray!