When was the last time you ‘confided’ in someone? You had something on your heart, something that really mattered to you—a secret, if you will. You knew you couldn’t just say it to anyone, so you looked for someone you could trust. 

Most often when we talk about praying, we imagine what we say to the Lord Jesus. And that’s right and good. But there’s another side of prayer where our LORD speaks with us. Prayer also has us listening. The LORD confides in us. God trusting you! He speaks of his heart, his hopes, his plans, his affections.

Every time that our LORD combines His hopes and his plans and his affections together, it comes out as a covenant. A covenant is an eternal promise that God makes—usually in blood—that binds Him to us. Think of Jesus, with just His twelve, using these words: “This is the cup of a new covenant, in my blood, drink this, and as often as you do, remember me.” 

This day, as we pray, let’s make space for listening. Go for a walk. Find a quiet room away from technology. Commit with the people in your house to a half-hour of silence. Listen. Maybe read Scripture (Psalm 25 would work). Listen.

And don’t be afraid to speak your own heart too. He also listens.