The Prayer Factor

“For I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt offerings.”  Hosea 6:6 Amplified Version

Hosea speaks of God’s desire to have a deep relationship with us, rooted in God’s love and not in sacrifice made by an individual.  To truly know God means to have that deep relationship with Him, and not merely know about Him.  Prayer is a characteristic of that love.  In fact, it is impossible to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Great Command–Luke 10:27) without an ongoing relationship that is rooted in prayer.  It is not enough to say “I know God will always be there for me.”  While that statement is true of our God who says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” such an attitude buries the essence of God’s desired relationship with us.  Prayer provides for that ongoing communication with the Father.  As we listen to the voice of the One who sent His only son to die on our behalf, our desire should be to respond with a heart of service and love.  Desire His love.  Desire a close and ongoing relationship with the Father.  That is His desire for us.