Question Archives - Tricia Goyer

Do you wonder if God is out there listening? Do you question if He cares? Many of us want to talk to God—to pray—but we don’t know how to start.

Here are some things that might help: <click to tweet>

You don’t need a specific place to pray . . . but finding “a prayer place” might help. I pray before I climb out of bed, snuggled under the blanket. I pray in the mornings, sitting on the couch. I pray in the afternoons as I’m folding laundry. Praying in those places becomes a habit, and being there “triggers” me to turn my heart to God.
You can pray any time . . . but creating daily appointments can go a long way. During my “couch” prayer time I make a cup of coffee or tea. I grab a journal and pen. I open my Bible. This ritual helps me to focus. It prepares my heart.
You don’t need a list of requests . . . but keeping a list can grow your faith. I keep a prayer journal. It’s built my faith to go back and see how God has answered my prayers. I’ve prayed for book deadlines and kid issues, and years later I can see that, with God’s help, the work got done and the kids turned around. It encourages me to continue asking and continue drawing near.
You don’t need to pray a specific set of words . . . but looking to the Lord’s Prayer can be a good guide. From Matthew 6:9-13:

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’”

Jesus’ prayer guides us to *pray for God’s will. It reminds us to *pray for His kingdom on earth. It shows us that *God is our provider. It reminds us to *ask for forgiveness . . . and to *offer forgiveness. And it encourages us to *seek protection from evil. What a great list to pray through!

Five More Tips on Talking to God

Nix the holy slang. God understands “whasup God” just as well as He does “Thou holy Father.”
Spit it out. I’m able to keep my train of thought better when I’m talking.
Find a prayer buddy or prayer buddies. It brings hope to my heart when I know others are praying for me and when I’m praying for others.
Don’t think of talking to God as seeking to “get your prayers answered.” Instead, think of it as bringing your concerns before Him and allowing Him to sort out the best plan of action.
Remember how much God cares for you. He’s not watching to see when you’ll mess up. Instead, He’s eagerly waiting to see when you’re going to step near. He wants you to connect with Him, not out of duty but out of relationship.

So how do you start? Start simply. Start with a heart full of hope of drawing near. Start now!

Are you new here? You might want to subscribe to my email updates, or follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, or Instagram. Or perhaps this post spoke to you? Tweet about it!

Do you ever question if God remembers you? I know I have. Let’s talk about what our response should be when we feel this way.

There have been several times in my life when I have been at a place where I would question if God remembered me.

I remember being in second grade and sleeping in an attic bedroom. I felt alone, scared, and disconnected from my mom, stepfather, and my brother—my father’s biological child.

I remember being in sixth grade and feeling too chubby and awkward for anyone to like me. I wondered if I could ever capture a guy’s attention, a guy’s heart.

I remember being a senior in high school, but instead of being at school I was sitting at home depressed and pregnant. My boyfriend already had a new girlfriend. I wondered if there would ever me a man who would love me and my child.

And during each of those times I prayed.

I prayed to belong.
I prayed to be chosen.
I prayed to be worthy of a life-long commitment.

I’d forgotten about those times until just this morning when I read in Bible about Joseph locked in prison. Joseph hadn’t done anything wrong. God had even granted him the ability to interpret the dreams of the chief bake and cup-bearer. Joseph only asked for one thing: not to be forgotten. He simply wanted the man whom he helped to remember him and offer help in return. But it didn’t happen.

“Pharaoh’s chief cup-bearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought,” Genesis 4:23 (NLT).

Joseph may have felt forgotten for a time, but God remembered Him. God knew exactly where He was. God was with Him, and when the season of Joseph’s kingdom-service came, God helped the chief cup-bearer to remember him, too, and within days Joseph went from prison cell to palace seat.

Do you feel forgotten? Do you question if God remembers you? He does!

Have you prayed to belong? Have you prayed to be chosen? Have you prayed for a spouse, a child, or a long-desired dream? People may forget. You may have pushed your prayers to the back of your mind, but God remembers.

Have you prayed to belong? Have you prayed to be chosen? Have you prayed for a spouse, a child, or a long-desired dream?

Click To Tweet

We have to trust God even when we feel forgotten:

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT)

And in your waiting, also have the faith to look ahead:

“The time will come,” says the Lord,
“when the grain and grapes will grow faster
than they can be harvested.
Then the terraced vineyards on the hills of Israel
will drip with sweet wine! Amos 9:13

Do you feel forgotten? God remembers.
Do you feel alone? God remembers.
Do you feel that someone who should be on your side isn’t giving you another thought? God is there.

Keep turning to Him. Keep praying. In the right moment God’s timing will come and His purpose will be displayed. You will enjoy a harvest of blessings in a way you couldn’t have experienced unless you’d walked through the silent days.

Click To Tweet

Now how about you? When is a time that you felt forgotten? How did God show up?

~Tricia

How to Talk to God

Do You Ever Question if God Remembers You?