I showed you some lesson notes that were essentially blank. There was no title and just a few words like “blah blah blah.” It's like I sat down to write a lesson and nothing came. There were no words to write—nothing to share. Or maybe I had something to share, but no way to put it into words. Nothing came out. The notes were left blank. Blah.
The other day, I had a strange experience. I sat in a room with two of my friends in silence. One of them was playing with a phone and the other was sleeping. I sat there in silence. It was awkward. I felt like I should strike up a conversation, but there were no words. We hadn't seen each other for a couple of weeks, so it seems like there should have been something to talk about. I guess it was like the lesson notes from earlier. There is so much in God's Word that He wants to share with us, but we sit down with the lesson and there is nothing. Even if I did have something to talk about, no words ever formulated and I sat there, uncomfortably.
Some time ago, I was with someone taking care of some things at a store. The other person had to run outside for something and I was left alone with the salesperson for a few minutes. Every bit of common sense would dictate that we strike up a conversation while we wait, but instead, I mindlessly perused through the things on the shelves while they waited by the counter. Perhaps we've all had those moments where we wanted or needed to say something or discuss something with someone, but words failed us. We open our mouths to speak and the words aren't there. Or we just don't know how to break the silence. It's weird. It's awkward. But we've probably all done it.
God wants us to talk to Him. I have spoken before about our need to spend time with God, speak to Him, and listen to His voice. I have spoken about how we need to spend time with Him, getting to know Him, as we would with a friend. God wants to hear from you. Do you feel uncomfortable praying to God? Is He like a stranger to you and you don't know where to begin? Do you sit down to pray and then after a minute you don't really know what else to say and you wander off to do other things? Just talk to God. Tell Him about your day. Make mention of your friends and family and their needs. Thank Him for blessings that you have experienced. Ask Him for guidance in some situation in your life. It's OK to speak frankly with God. You don't have to use a bunch of Old English words and long, fancy sentences. I'm not advocating disrespecting God, but you can speak to Him as you would someone that is sitting next to you. It's OK to say to God, “I know we haven't spoken much, but I want to get to know you,” and then listen to His Word. Really, it's a good conversation starter. If you are a stranger to prayer or you have just noticed that your prayer life is suffering because you don't really know what to say to God, it might feel like approaching a stranger on the street and striking up a conversation. That can be a very difficult thing to do. I know I'm not cut out for it. But if you think about it, if you just start with a greeting to break the silence, and you listen to the response, you can maybe take it from there. Don't put off prayer because you don't know how to break the ice. Think of some people that you know that are in need and talk to God about it. Then take it from there. Even Jesus gave His disciples a framework for prayer. Also, when you are with God, the Holy Spirit will put some things on your heart to pray about.
Luke 11:2-4
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Philippians 4:6
Be [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
God wants us to talk to other people. As much as we've talked about difficulty in breaking the silence and beginning conversation when words fail you, I think the biggest trouble is usually finding something to say to a stranger. Well, God wants us to talk to other people. He wants us to tell them about His Love.
Matthew 10:19
19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
Exodus 4:12
Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
Let's trust God for the words to say: whether we're talking to Him or sharing Him with others. If you know God, you've got something to say. Say it!
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