prayer is God's gift to you

There is a God that both speaks and listens. Remember how it feels when someone really listens to you without judgment? You know…they just listen because they want to understand--nothing more. They listen without adding, “And now I think you should do this.”

Remember how freeing that feels?

Sometimes, just being-listened-to is life-changing.

I think that’s how it is with God. See, he already knows how you feel; he already knows what you’ve gone through. He already understands—even before we turn to him in prayer.

So, why go to him in prayer with your burden, then?

Maybe we do well to pray because God’s listening helps you understand yourself. Prayer is God’s gift to you, not your gift to God.