Toggles Connection Newsletter
Trophies of His Grace

Talking to the Father

—by Alaine
(From the Toggles Connection Newsletter)

For many TOGS, thinking about prayer brings up feelings of overwhelming fear, anger, confusion or distrust. These emotions are all symptoms. They mean that somewhere inside we have a distortion about Who the God is that we are praying to.

Many have difficulty praying—and no wonder. If the goal of our lives as Christians is to know Him, it is not surprising that we meet opposition when we try to talk to Him. The lies imbedded in our lives from past experiences, the influence of our own natural tendency to be independent from God, the culture around us, as well as God’s enemy, Satan, all try to keep us from getting to know the Lord.

How do we overcome these difficulties? Perhaps some of these practical suggestions might help:

Ask yourself: WHY is it so hard to pray? That’s a good way to see what lies you are believing about God. (For example, if we say “I have a hard time praying because God hates me and I’m afraid of Him,” we need to affirm the truth: “God doesn’t hate me, and I refuse to be afraid of Him!”)
Use written-out prayers or prayer lists. God doesn’t mind if we use “cheat sheets” to remind us to keep our mind on track.
Pray about praying. Ask God to help you talk with Him. He has given us His Holy Spirit Who plays a major role in our communication with the Father. Jesus Himself is also interceding for us. Even His disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

Speaking of written-out prayers, here are two we often use at seminars we present:

“Heavenly Father, I confess that I need You. I realize that there are areas of my life where Your truth does not reign. Teach me Lord. I choose to aggressively hold on to the truth. May You be glorified and may I become free as I become more and more like Christ. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.”

“Lord, where are the distortions, the lies that have infiltrated my life? Uncover them. I choose to reject the lies and embrace the truth. Begin Your work of weeding out the lies and distortions about You, myself, and other people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”