It might sound a bit weird, but I had a chat to God today.
I won’t say a chat “with” God, because let’s face it, he doesn’t really tend to talk back much (or if he does, I don’t hear him. Or maybe it’s just that selective hearing loss kicking in again?!).
I must confess: it’s not something I do all that much these days (you can read more about my midlife crisis of faith here).
But when it comes to tough times, or things I’m really concerned about – particularly with regard to my kids – I find myself falling back into old habits.
So what inspired my little chat to God?
Mr 24 has applied for (another) job. It’s really hard to see your kid struggling in the extremely competitive job market – so on my walk, I started telling God about it.
It seems so unfair – my boy has almost completed his uni course. He’s interned at a local company. He’s worked part time in fast food for years and is one of their best workers. He’s got everything going for him and yet … is not having any success in getting a paid position in his field. He even got knocked back for a role recently, because he’d interned and they preferred somebody with no experience. Are you freakin’ kidding me? Way to punish a kid for showing drive and initiative!
So a little divine help, certainly wouldn’t go astray …
But then I got thinking about HOW I should ask God for what I want.
- Do I come over all bold and order him to do it in Jesus’ name (as I was taught to do during my years in church)? It just feels wrong though, y’know? Who am I to boss God around?
- Do I humbly and nervously put in a request along the lines of … Sorry God, it’s just me, and well, if you wouldn’t mind, please … but I don’t want to bother you, sorry … but it would be awesome if … sorry, I know I have no right to ask and it’s probably not all that important in the scheme of things … and I know it’s been a while since we chatted but please …
- Or do I just lay out the facts: This is what we want. This is why we want it. And in the manner of Captain Picard from Star Trek, tell God to “make it so”.
As if that’s not enough, then my head starts spinning as I consider further: What’s the point? Maybe I’m just talking to myself. Maybe it’s not God’s plan. Will my little chat to God today actually do any good? (Can you tell I’m a bit of an over thinker?!).
I might be a bit of a “lapsed Christian” (rather than a “lapsed Catholic”), but I actually had a bit of a chat to God today. I’ll let you know if anything comes of it …
Do you ever chat to God? What sort of things cause you to become a “God-botherer”?
I do tend to chat to God regularly because I believe that even though God knows our every need before we do, and he will give his children everything they need (not necessarily what we want ?) it makes me feel better to talk about what’s on my heart. I know that whatever I say will be in confidence and it feels good to hand it over to someone bigger than us all. So keep up those prayers, and have faith that the outcome will be for good in the end ??
Hi Karen, this just makes so much sense to me. It’s more for our benefit than God’s – a bit like forgiving someone. Thank you for helping me see things more clearly x
I pray Janet. Just privately, silently, in my bed before I sleep. Rather than say what I want I just pray that God will ‘make it right’ whatever that may be. Like Karen, I share what’s in my heart. As you say, we don’t know what is in the grand plan for us so whatever the outcome I just pray that God will help us all (me, my hubby, kids… whoever it is on my mind at the time) deal with it! I also give thanks in my prayers. There is much ado about practising ‘gratitude’ these days like it’s a novel concept! Yet it’s been practised through prayer for centuries. Many people just stopped doing it. Which is kind of sad I think. It’s makes happy to know that you talk to God too. x
Thanks Shauna. I like the thought of “chatting to God” rather than “praying” … makes it more real somehow, and I don’t feel like I have to jump through so many hoops or do it a certain way. For those that are skeptical about the power of prayer (and I admit I am one of them!) it certainly can’t hurt.
Oh Janet, sorry to hear about that challenging job situation for your son. That’s tough… I think chatting to God is the wisest thing for any of us to do. We need our heavenly Father and so do our loved ones. Liz xo
Hey Liz, he still hasn’t heard anything about the job but government is notorious for taking their own sweet time. Although, Mr 24 has said if he doesn’t get this role he doesn’t know if he’ll bother applying for anything else now until he finishes his degree in October – when he’ll want full time work rather than part time. He has actually been offered a couple of full time positions in the last few months but couldn’t take them due to uni commitments.
Part of Praying is listening. After saying your prayers stay on your knees and just listen and feel . Also keep an attitude of gratitude. Say thanks for things you have and give thanks in Anticipation. Saying ‘thank you Heavenly Father, I know that I will gain employment,’ keeps your spirits up and helps you to keep your eyes up and gives a lightness that is attractive.
When my first husband was out of work – when I walked back from taking the children to school I would pray as I walked and thank God for the job he would find. My husband thanked me for my attitude as it was one less thing to worry about and gave a peaceful feeling and he did get another job.
You can be specific about what you want also. And say thank you for the job I will have.
When I was divorced (with 5 young boys) I thanked Heavenly Father for the new husband I would have and told him I wanted to marry a widower – someone who had loved his wife and not a divorced person. — Well I got 5 proposals and 2 were widowers but the last one – as soon as I saw him I knew he was the one. And it was good.
I always love hearing about people’s experiences of answered prayer Julie!
I chat to God every day – I’m not lapsed but I’m a very practical Christian. I truly believe he’s interested in our lives but he’s not a genie in a lamp who grants our wishes when we come knocking on heaven’s door (now the song’s stuck in my head!) I think giving our concerns over to God takes some of the weight off our own shoulders and things have a habit of working out in the long run – just not on our timeframe every time. I hope your son gets something soon – I have a feeling his efforts will be rewarded – and your prayers won’t go astray.
Thanks Leanne. He still hasn’t heard anything so we will see but then government always moves slowly …