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We instinctively know our relationships are built on communication. Where there is robust, healthy dialogue and interaction, our connections grow and thrive. Without such attention, once-flourishing bonds wither away. Our relationship with God is also nourished by communication. This can be through Bible reading and worship, but prayer underlies it all. Through thanksgiving, supplication, surrender, and other forms of prayer, we reach out to God to communicate our belief. With every word, we refocus our thoughts and allow our lives to become centered on God.
There is, however, a fundamental difference. God is always speaking to us by His Spirit. Those lines of communication never grow stale because He is faithful to tend them every moment of the day. Knowing our hearts are prone to wander, He put the Holy Spirit inside of us so we would never be without Him. This was specifically designed so we could abide in Christ. John 15 goes into detail about how this call to allow ourselves to be interconnected with the life-giving Spirit of God bears fruit.
We are given this beautiful gift despite who we are and what we do. Our effort isn’t a factor in God’s faithfulness. It isn’t withdrawn when we lack consistency. The truth is that against our flaws, God’s perfect love shines all the more. It is because of His love, displayed for us and imparted to us, that we are able to respond in turn.
“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. We love because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:18-19 CSB
Prayer is driven by God’s extended hand to be in relationship with us. It is sustained by God’s faithfulness. It never fails or fades because He never changes His mind regarding His love for us. Our act of praise, thanksgiving, asking for help, confession, and engaging in dialogue is the natural response to His goodness. It is a privilege we are granted and should be utilized at every opportune moment.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. Every branch in me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me, and I in him, produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch, and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, I have also loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.”