10. Check on progress - 3

At this stage of the book, having reviewed the process and practice of listening to God and writing down deep thoughts in human words, I want to record a specific conversational prayer with no other comment.

Praying

Is that what you had in mind, Lord?

Listening

Yes, my son, but it is very important to remind people that I want to walk with them and talk with them in their own individual and unique lives. I am not trying to make you like Thomas À Kempis.

Praying

Or Howard Smith, I hope.

Listening

That's right. I want to come to my people in every culture and age, and to walk with them in their homes, places of work, schools, and recreation. I will use the place where they are as a source of vocabulary with which to speak to them. Thomas was a monk. Therefore, it was inevitable that his prayers sounded monastic.

Praying

I can understand this, Lord. In Book 4, Thomas À Kempis focuses on the Eucharist as it was celebrated in his day. Today, nearly 600 years later, there are some things in his writing that are not part of my faith, but his devotion to you comes through and seems to cut through culture, creed, and his monastery. This devotion comes through to me as a shining example of love towards you. Therefore, one day I look forward to standing next to him and greeting him as a brother.

Listening

And you will, my son, together with many other brothers and sisters.

Now it's time for you to start putting these things into practice. Start with my word, and let it fire your thoughts and vocabulary. Remember that my words to you, spoken to the depths of your soul, will always be consistent with the scriptures. Therefore I want you to start with them.

Praying

Lord, I seem to be drawn frequently to the Psalms.

Listening

That's a good place to start, my son. You will observe how my servant David over 2,500 years ago had also developed this gift of conversational prayer. Notice how he prayed, and then you should integrate his thoughts with the revelation that has come from me in Jesus, and with his death, resurrection, and ascension. Let my Spirit guide you, and listen to my voice.

Praying

Lord, these thoughts come with clarity and the certainty that you are speaking to me. I thank you, and bless you for the experience of closeness to you as I respond and reach out for my Bible.

Lord, I give you free rein to shape my thoughts as I read your word. More than that, speak to me and show me how to put words to these precious thoughts that rise up. Just now, I ask for the gift of discernment to know when these words are yours, when they are particular to me, and when they are to be shared with my friends.

Thank you in anticipation knowing that there will be insight, encouragement, new heights of awareness, times of rebuke and instructions for work in your service. Lord God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I bow in awe of you and lift my soul in worship. Beyond you there is nothing; without you I am nothing. Yet it is awesome that you the creator of the rolling universe, of galaxies beyond our own, the one who knows them all in detail, should bother or even want to have this talking and walking relationship with me. So I love you, and bless you again, thanking you that you are giving me the grace to respond to your incredible love.

Listening

My son, I hear you, and accept your worship. And I tell you again that I love you very much. Now reach out and read Psalm 1 and listen to what I have to say to you today.

Praying

I will, Lord, and I look forward to hearing you more clearly.

Bless you, Lord, I love you.

Copyright Howard Smith 2002. All Rights reserved.

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