A conversation with God

I have worked with a lot of different people in my life and am often found in a place of teaching others about God. Probably because it is my job but also because I choose to be a disciple for Christ and we are all called to share the good news. Anyway, one of the things I often hear from believers both new and old is that they struggle with prayer. I, myself, have certainly have had my times where I have been distant with God and have chosen for one reason or another not to talk to God but I have always known how. I am not really sure who taught be or when I learned. And truthfully I would never say that my way is the best way or the only way, it is just my way and I have found it to be effective in my life.
To me prayer is just a conversation. A conversation with God, one that can really start anyway you want to and for me often does not start the same way. Maybe this all stems from my childhood on the farm, there often times is nobody to talk to so it is kind of like talking to yourself except instead of answering yourself, you listen for the answer from outside of yourself.
There are no components that a prayer has to have. It is not like a speech that you are giving to the President or in class. It is just a conversation, like you would have with your best friend.
In Matthew chapter 6 verses 5-6, Matthew encourages us to pray alone, in private. Stating not to show off by praying loudly or in the church. I think that he is saying that the things we do in private and without the acknowledgement of others has a greater impact that those that we do in public.
My high school principal used to say that character is how we act when no one is watching. I think prayer is the same way. Who are we when we are alone, when no one is watching, when we have the opportunity to be our true selves without judgement? We should strive to be the best we can be at all times and part of that is our prayer lives. Do we think to pray when nobody else is around? When we are struggling or having the most amazing day are we thinking that we should bring that to God?
I am not saying I am perfect by any means, trust me I am still human and fail every day, but it is a goal to be better, to turn to God in all situations. It all starts with a conversation and when we enter in that conversation, it is amazing the rewards that we will receive. Remember it doesn't have to be fancy, we just have to say hello and be ready to listen.
How are your prayer lives going? I look forward to hearing from you all.
Until next time,
~Michelle