I used to think of praying like making a phone call.

“Dear God” was the same as “Hello, is Jesus there?”

“Amen” was the same as “Well okay, talk to you later. Bye!”

It was a set aside time each day when I would “call” Him up, chat for a few minutes and then move on with the rest of my life.

I thought I had to use specific words or be in a kneeling position or speak out loud.

When I realized God could hear my thoughts, all day/every day, my prayer life was transformed.

When we begin to understand that all ground is Holy ground to God, things begin to change. The secular and the sacred suddenly become one. And praying becomes an ongoing conversation picked up again and again throughout the day.

When we let go of rituals and “right or wrong” thinking, today’s Memory Verse becomes possible: “Never stop praying.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

If you’re a person, like I was, who really wants to please God so much that we don’t want to offend Him by talking to him in the bathroom or while we’re in the middle of yelling at our kids, I urge you to try something new today.

Let go of the need to please and just talk to Him. Ask Him questions or tell Him how you’re feeling or what you need help with in that particular moment. Keep the line of communication constantly open.

I’m convinced God wants to be with us, to go along for the ride, whatever that entails. So please, even if for today only, don’t hang up on Him.