Do you pray? Why do you pray?

We must SPEND TIME with the individual.

Let's use our kids as an example: Support your kids in YOUTH functions at school and at church. Spend time with them.

To have a relationship with someone: We must SHARE EXPERIENCES with them. Eat a meal, go to a concert together, go to the park, picnic and play together. We can share experiences by working together or playing sports together.

To have a relationship with someone: We must COMMUNICATE with them. Friends talk with each other. Friends talk about their hopes, dreams and fears.

On the Spiritual Side

To have a relationship with God: We must SPEND TIME with God.
Let's think of a Telephone. When we talk on a telephone we can't see the individual on the other end of the line but we know that they are there. We talk and they listen. Then they talk and we listen. Our relationship with God is similar. We talk to God through PRAYER and we listen to God speak through our BIBLE STUDY and through sermons, by having the Word of God expounded to us.
To have a relationship with God: We must SHARE EXPERIENCES with God. How? By attending Sabbath Services, Bible Studies and Holy Day Convocations. By attending the Feast of Tabernacles. We should let Jesus Christ live in us.
To have a relationship with God: We must COMMUNICATE with God through prayer. God wants to be our friend. (John 15;14-15) Share your successes and your failures with God. Talk to God about your TRIALS and TESTS. We should talk to and ask God about things before we do them. Buy a car - God is your financial partner. Buy a house. - This is a major purchase. Pray to God about major decisions. 

God wants us to talk to Us

How should we talk to God? We should talk to God as we would talk to our own human father. We should talk to God in a natural way, not in a monotone voice. Don't talk to God in a syrupy manner or with King James English. Don't use Thees and Thous. Talk to God as you would talk to one of your very best friends.
You respect your friends. You would not want to do anything to offend them. We don't want to offend God in how we talk to Him.

As you come before God in prayer, be fully aware of the power, majesty and holiness of the eternal Creator God to whom you are praying. Don't approach God sleepily or carelessly.
You may say something that you should not say. Always have a humble attitude in prayer. Abase yourself. Exalt God. He is the creator and we are the created. Realize that you are coming before the very throne of the ruler of the universe! Always remember that God Is Listening! Just as important, realize as you pray that you have God's undivided attention. 

How can we build on our relationship with God?

Praise God! You can read the Psalms when you are praying. See how David praised God. Read a song from your church hymnal. This may inspire you and give you ideas as to how to praise God.

Thank God for your blessings.

Don’t pray for only selfish reasons, pray for others and their problems.

Be clothed with humility when you pray (1 Peter 5:5).

Reason #2 as to why we should pray: God is the source of everything good.

Let’s read: James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

In this modern society in which we live, it is easy to forget that God is the source of every good gift. 

What are some of these gifts?

God is the source of wisdom, understanding and knowledge (Proverbs 3:6, James 1:5). God is the source of peace and of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). God is the source of promotions and advancements (Psalm 75:6-7). God is our protector (Psalms 91).

When our ways please Him, God grants us favor even with those who hate us (Proverbs 16:7).
Our enemies will be at peace with us. God forgives us and heals us (Psalms 103:3). God has given us our good health. God has given us our jobs, hobbies, talents and abilities. God has given us a beautiful free country to live in with our freedoms of religion, speech, press and assembly.

We need to be thankful to God for the many blessings that we have: Electricity: microwaves, T.V. and air conditioning. Running water and indoor plumbing. Gas utilities to heat our homes and Automobiles to take us to church and to our jobs. God has chosen for us to live in these modern times and to do His work.

We should be thankful to God and give thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever (Psalms 106:1).

Let's read: John 3:27 "John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven."
We should seek God diligently in prayer daily. Without God's direction, guidance, favor, power and help, we can accomplish nothing worthwhile. Jesus said: in John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
The closer you can stay to God and the more often you come to Him in prayer, the less you will sin and the more you will accomplish.

In conclusion: Get on your knees and pray to build your relationship with God..