Joyful prayer…

Imagine this.  Two friends.  One is bubbly and full of joy.  The other reminds you of Eyore from the Winnie the Pooh stories.  Always sad.  Always unhappy.  The friends connect with one another regularly.  Guess which one always comes with a shopping list of “I wants” – wanting things to make them happy.

How about the bubbly, joyful one?   How long might we expect such a relationship to last?

Another question.  When we approach God in prayer, are we overflowing with joy or do we have a shopping list?

Perhaps we need to be extraordinarily grateful we have a patient God!  Sure, there needs to be space in our lives and relationships for lament and sadness.  Just read the Psalms.   Yet I wonder how our relationship with our heavenly Father might be transformed if we entered into his presence full of joy and dancing?  Take a look – David the Psalmist did that as well (Psalm 150).

You don’t need to look too far in social media to find memes applauding Eyore’s friends for their grace and kindness.  Agreed.  Let’s cheer them on, but remember the grace and kindness of God is even better.  It’s always safe to come to Him in times of need.  But imagine our starting point is coming into God’s presence overwhelmingly excited and eager to be connecting with such a friend.  Perhaps prayer might look a little different?

Philippians 4:4-7 says this… “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

One last imagination project.  You are walking into a room where God is relaxing and waiting to chat with you.  Are you happy or sad?