Talk to Him
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of approaching God with a childlike heart to foster a deep and honest relationship through prayer.
K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's nearness in prayer, as illustrated in Psalms 73. He encourages believers to approach God with a childlike heart, sharing their burdens, joys, and struggles openly, just as one would with a close friend. This honest communication transforms our perspective on life's challenges and deepens our relationship with God. By pouring out our hearts to Him, we can experience His comfort, healing, and guidance in our lives. Ultimately, the sermon highlights that true intimacy with God comes from unreserved and genuine conversation.
Text
In Psalm 73, we read of a godly man who, in the midst of tremendous discour agement and inner struggles, finally rec ognized the nearness of God. After all was said and done, he cried out saying, "The nearness of God is my good" (Psalm 73:28, NASB). His prayer is no longer directed to somebody far away, but to someone who is near to him. It is the understanding of this that changed his view on the situations of his life and even changed his own heart.
Let us then remember that when we pray there is no reason we should close our eyes and imagine some strange being far away. Rather, let us have the honest attitude of a little child talking to his father.
I believe the Lord is so delighted when we approach Him with a childlike heart, sharing our concerns and burdens with Him in this manner.
Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart, its plea sures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes, that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others.
If you thus pour out all your weak ness, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subject of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding God's nearness
- The impact of recognizing God's presence
- The transformation of prayer
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II
- Approaching God with a childlike heart
- The importance of honesty in prayer
- Sharing burdens and joys with God
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III
- Pouring out our hearts to God
- The continuous nature of our needs
- The blessing of open communication with God
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IV
- The role of confession in prayer
- Seeking God's help in our weaknesses
- The healing power of God's presence
Key Quotes
“The nearness of God is my good.” — K.P. Yohannan
“Let us have the honest attitude of a little child talking to his father.” — K.P. Yohannan
“Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God.” — K.P. Yohannan
Application Points
- Approach God in prayer with the simplicity and honesty of a child.
- Regularly share your burdens and joys with God to deepen your relationship with Him.
- Practice open communication with God by pouring out your heart and seeking His guidance.