If you want to hear from God, read the Bible; if you want God to hear you, pray.

There’s a reason why God wants us to devote ourselves to prayer–it works. God doesn’t ask us to do stuff for His own amusement. That would make Him more like a heavenly drill sergeant, who barks, “Drop and give me twenty!” just to show us who’s boss.

God isn’t our drill sergeant, and He isn’t our boss. He’s our loving heavenly Father who wants us to succeed as we relate to Him and others. He’s even given us a success manual (the Bible) so we will know how to get along in this world and prepare for the next. And He’s given us prayer so we can tell Him our deepest needs.

Prayer is so much more than reciting words. It’s talking with God about everything in your life, from the small stuff to your big concerns. And when you pray earnestly, God promises to answer in ways that will amaze you.

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”

Isaiah 65:24