One of the greatest gifts that God has granted us on this earth is the ability to speak with him, have Him hear us and through this simple conversation we find instant comfort, relief, strength, and hope for something greater than ourselves. God grants us this gift daily—a direct route to Him, at any minute of the day. Take a moment to marvel how powerful that is: a direct route to our Creator, the One who designed your life, the One who designed the earth. Yet, so often I find that we (myself included, believe me) take this gift for granted.

Humor me as I exemplify this through a short story. Joseph is an eighteen year old attending Blue Valley High School. Each day, he would wake up promptly at 7:15 a.m. and begin preparing for the day. He took a quick shower and when he had finished he could always smell the sweet smell of his mother’s cooking from the kitchen. Every morning, she rose before him to prepare pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast. She has been making him this scrumptious breakfast for as long as he can remember. He counted on this each day. He expected it. So much that some days, he wouldn’t say a simple “thank you.” Some days, he would pass through the kitchen without even taking a bite before school. This was such a huge gesture, such a compassionate gesture, yet, because he became accustomed to it, he lost appreciation for his mother—for all that she had done for him. Don’t become Joseph in your prayer life.

Now, I choose my words wisely when I call prayer a “gift.” The dictionary defines a gift as “a thing given willingly to someone without payment.” God gifts us the power to have an open line of communication with him. He doesn’t ask anything in return – He isn’t seeking “payment.” Jesus already paid this on the cross. All that He asks that we believe in Him and His word.

One of the biggest challenges I have had thus far in my spiritual walk is avoiding a mundane prayer life. By this I mean allowing my prayer life to become something I view as ordinary; because prayer is ANYTHING but that. How humbling is it to conclude that our Creator isn’t ordinary nor are the blessings He sends to us!

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions. With all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and keep on praying for all the Lords people.

Charles Spurgeon said it best when he said "True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that - it is spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth." Please, remember this the next time you fall to your knees. Please, pray with intention. Please, pray boldly. Please, pray with your whole heart and soul. Remember, God wants a strong connection with us just as much as we do with Him – just as it is a gift for us to pray to God, it is a gift to Him to listen to us. He smiles on His believers with each bold prayer that passes to the Heavens.