How do you talk to God? It’s mind blowing to think you have direct access to the almighty creator of heaven and earth, but exactly how do you access him? Think about it, there are a whole lot of people trying to talk to God at the same time, how will he know it’s YOU? I have a friend who began tapping into her access to God using her social security number. FOR REAL. I’ve literally laughed until I peed a little over this true story.

In full disclosure, all names have been changed to protect the innocent, but it goes something like this. When Jennifer started praying, understanding she was speaking to the almighty one, she started her prayers like this …

“Hi, uhmmmm God, this is Jennifer Jones, 520-89-7722.”

Yip, that’s right, she was identifying herself with God using her social security number.

With 7.8 billion people alive right now, how the heck is God supposed to know us all, right? Another friend confessed she prayed like she’s leaving a voicemail message. Hello God, this is Angela. I was calling to ask if you could please help me with a situation.

Well, as funny as this is, you know what I think … I think God’s just glad you called! He’s happy to hear you call his name.

But you should also know this, you’re more than just a number to God. He wants a personal relationship with you, his prized creation. His eye is on you. He knows exactly where you are, what you’re going through, what you need, and he and his angels are leaning over the rails of heaven just waiting for you to call so they can come swooping into your life!

Your prayers allocate the power of God. When you pray for a specific person it’s as if his power is on a beeline straight to their front door. You have the ability to direct where God’s power will be at work in your life today, all by praying.

So of course, our human minds equate big power with qualifying factors to gain access. Secret codes and passwords we must learn along with stringent standards to measure up to. Surely not just anyone can have a direct line with THE ONE AND ONLY GOD. Teach me those fancy words and show me how to clean myself up enough to speak to him.

I have the personal phone number of someone very influential. Someone who I admire greatly. Someone who could drastically change my life with just a few words. But you know what, I’ve never called this person. I have their phone number and I know they answer. Why haven’t I called? Well, I don’t know what to say. I’m afraid I’ll sound silly or needy or ramble on in nonsense, so I simply don’t call.

We treat God much the same. Let me tell you something, he not only has the power to drastically change your life, but he WANTS to drastically change your life. He wants to heal you, he wants to restore you, he wants to make a way for you, he wants to pour out radical blessings on you … yes specifically you. BUT YOU HAVE TO CALL ON HIM.

I haven’t always had a relationship with God. There was a time when I was very distant from him and had forgotten how to allocate his power in my life. That’s when I met my friend Suzanne and she taught me a prayer that changed everything for me. It was called the 4 sentence prayer.

Yes, that’s it, just 4 simple sentences. No matter how busy you are, no matter how big your messes are, no matter how far away you have wandered or how long it has been since you’ve called on Him, you can pray this prayer and begin building your greater relationship with God.

I will teach you this 4 sentence prayer this morning, but it comes with a strong disclosure … YOU MAY NOT BE PREPARED FOR THE POWER ABOUT TO BE UNLEASHED IN YOUR LIFE. God may show up and do some radical things when you open the door for him. Once I learned the 4 sentence prayer, I began going into my closet each evening before bed, dropping to my knees, and praying just 4 sentences. Within a week I felt totally connected with God again. Within 2 months God had full on taken over my empty spirit, filled me up with a hunger for him, and moved me to start hosting live daily devotions.

Yes, I went from NEVER giving God a moment of my busy, beautiful life and feeling so totally disconnected, to praying the 4 sentence prayer daily and after 2 months hosting daily devotionals that reach you today. Yes, this is exactly how this podcast all began … an empty spirit just seeking to get close to her Creator again.

Jeremiah 29:12 – Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

And this is the way our God works. If you will take one step towards him, he will take a thousand towards you. One step starts it all.

Do you need to take that one step towards God today? I know with every ounce of my being if you will take that one step towards him, he will indeed take a thousand steps towards you.

So allow me to teach you the 4 sentence prayer. There are no fancy words or magic formulas here. It’s so simple.

Sentence 1 – What you’re thankful for.
Sentence 2 – Confess where you’ve messed up & ask for forgiveness.
Sentence 3 – What you’re worried about.
Sentence 4 – Ask for help.

God wants to hear from you. He wants to hear what you’re thankful for. Oh how he wants to know what you love about your life.

And there’s no question he already knows where you’ve messed up, so the confession is for you, not for him. There’s no need to carry around your failures and sins with such heaviness and shame. Bring it to your loving God, tell him about it and ask him to forgive you. He is so ready to forgive you fully. 1 John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” But we have to confess where we’ve been messing up. That means we have to take responsibility for it. Admit it’s on you. And when you do that, not only will God forgive you, but he will begin strengthening you to do better.

And whatever it is you’re worried about, God can handle. Talk to him about your worries. You’re worried about money. You’re worried where you’re going to live. You’re worried about your marriage. You’re worried about your kids growing up to be responsible human beings. Tell God about all of those things. You were never intended to do life on your own. NEVER. Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, ask God for help. He’s been waiting for you to surrender, wave the white flag and call on him for help. Not only CAN he help you, but your heavenly father LOVES to help you. So won’t you ask him?

4 sentences:

Sentence 1 – What you’re thankful for.
Sentence 2 – Confess where you’ve messed up & ask for forgiveness.
Sentence 3 – What you’re worried about.
Sentence 4 – Ask for help.

Social security number is optional.