Prayer: an ongoing conversation with God

Hey guys, I am a little late on my first post because I have been so distracted by things at home but after reading this week's passage, I feel recentered.
 
I used to only pray to God when I needed something or when I was scared.  So often I found myself asking things from God and not expressing how thankful I was for the many blessings he had already given me. When I became firmer in my faith I realized that I don't like to just have two minutes conversations with him when I am in need, but I like to go through out my day talking to God, expressing my gratitude or fears in every moment.  I like thinking about prayer as an ongoing conversation with God.  Like this week's passage describes,  prayer is in everything I do, with every breath I have God by my side.

With a best friend in the hospital right now,  my thoughts and prayers are continuously about her.  I am talking to God about how scared I am, asking him to give her strength, praying for her family and expressing my thanks for the good health I have been blessed with.  God is my best friend that is always there for me to talk to, no matter how I am feeling.  I have learned that I need to talk to him in both the good and the bad times - I need to always have him on my mind.

Through this constant, open-ended prayer with God, he inspires me to think before I act.  There are definitely days when I am upset and try to take control of things on my own.  I felt a connection to  the line in the passage about not meeting God in prayer because I am trying to "evade" what he may have for me.  There are times when I do not like where things are headed and I think it is up to me to set them in the "right" direction.  But when I am at my lowest, I remember that God has his plan for me and he knows what is "right".  I find comfort in turning to the Lord and accepting his presence in every moment of my life.

Everyday is a new battle but I strive to keep my conversation with God going through prayer - through practicing his presence.

Much love to all of you!!
-Amanda