Exploring Prayer as Dialogue

By Brenda Jank

Prayer.

If I’m really honest, I have to admit I find it easier to spend ten minutes talking about God than ten minutes talking to God. My life bears evidence of this reality too often. My growth can be meager. My fruit is nothing worth writing home about.

Can you relate?

How do we turn the tide?

How do we infuse our lives, our passion, our purpose, our existence with prayer – so our lives find the rest and power we long for?

I think the first step is examining our understanding and practice of prayer.

For 40 years, a majority of my prayer life has been spent in monologue. I talk. God listens.

Nothing wrong with talking. God wants to hear from his children. But it can’t consume.

Monologue doesn’t set me on a fast track to a healthy relationship with anyone, including God.  

Does a prayer monologue come easier than dialogue to you, too?

Getting a glimpse of Moses’ relationship with God spurs me on to explore this whole idea of dialogue. I think the whole idea of dialogue prayer captured Joshua’s heart as well.

Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. …The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aid Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Exodus 33:7 and 11.

Get face to face with God. Start tomorrow morning.

Psalm 5:1-3

Fall 2024 Event Dates 

Are you tired of being tired? Is your team? Your pastor? Your friends? We have 6 opportunities for you to take part in A Rest That Works this October in Northeast Indiana. Join us! We would love to have you. Events vary in cost depending on the amount of sponsorship we were able to secure.

Friday, October 11 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana

9:00 – 11:15 AM Ministry Event
1:00 – 3:15 PM Community Event

Thursday, October 17 in Albion, Indiana . . . . .  Community Event

9:00 – 11:00 AM Community Event
1:30 – 3:30 PM Community Event

Tuesday, October 29 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana . . . . . Community and Ministry Event

9:00 – 11:30  Community Event
1:00 – 3:30    Ministry Event

Learn More and Register here 

Did you like this post?
Visit the first blog post by clicking here.
Take note of the date. Feel free to visit the Blog Page to explore the entire series.  

Would you like to explore the series at your own pace?
Consider purchasing Vantage Point: A New View of Rest, Rhythm, and the Work of God for yourself or others. 7,000 copies are transforming lives all around the world. Click here to learn of purchasing possibilities.

Note: This post is Post #15 of our original series on rest and restoration. We are reposting some of our favorite articles because we believe they’re just as important today as ever. We hope you’re challenged to think of rest in a fresh, new way and will invite others to join in.

---

Brenda Jank and the Run Hard. Rest Well team. are thought leaders in the arena of Restorative Wellness. Find additional resources at www.RunHardRestWell.org. Contact us at: brenda@runhardrestwell.org

First time here?