Real Prayer
I heard of an older man for whom prayer was very real.
He would get up in the morning and make his coffee. After pouring a cup he would set a chair in front of the most comfortable seat in his house. He would invite Jesus to sit in the comfy chair while he took a seat in the chair facing it.
Then, while he sipped his coffee, he would talk knee-to-knee with Jesus about whatever was on his mind that day as if he were talking to a friend. His situation in life. Family and friends. His pastor. World situations. Whatever. He would simply talk to his friend Jesus about it.
He would pause and reflect periodically to see if Lord Jesus had anything to say to him. Often a very real sense of direction would come to him. A person in the community that needed help, a friend that needed encouragement. People that he had no idea what their need was, but he prayed for them also.
Sometimes he did what he could. Sometimes he depended on God to send someone else.
Prayer was never boring. Often it continued through several cups of coffee. It often did not appear to be what we think of as prayer. It was more of a conversation. A conversation with his friend. But a friend who was able to meet the need and often did.
He was always left with a sense of peace. Jesus was there. Jesus was in control. His Lord.
Try it.