How Do You Pray by Travis Moffitt

I read a recent statistic that while most of the US population knows about Twitter, only a very small percentage of the population actually uses it's short message service. That was a surprising fact as it seems lately everybody and their grandmother is tweeting their every step. I myself am accustomed to posting my latest blog, ministry activity, photos of my son, and where to get a good meal.Sure seems like a lot is being said in 140 characters or less.
 
I wonder though, how many of the millions of tweets out there actual equate to a genuine and heartfelt message?  I wonder in our masses of short statements, if we are actually touching another life or just talking?
 
I wonder the same questions for our prayers?  Don't get me wrong, I don't believe that prayers have to be long to be meaningful. They just have to be from our hearts. When we pray, even a short prayer, God desires that we actually open ourselves up to Him. He craves the deepest places in us so that He can live through us.
 
Jesus understood this. Jesus prayed this way. On the cross Jesus cried out to God, His Father, "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”–which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)
 
While this brief message would fit the requirements of Twitter, it packs more honesty than any tweet I've ever read. Jesus was crying out from His most genuine place of need. He was being totally honest in His prayer. There was no sugar coating this one. He didn't add any knowledge of life or scripture stating the God would never leave Him. He didn't try to justify His feelings. He simply cried out.
 
When was the last time you cried out to God?  What was going on in your life the last time you simply and most honestly exposed your heart to you Heavenly Father?  Maybe this week. Maybe never. God desires a genuine relationship with each one of us where we can be free to expose our hearts without fear or shame. If Jesus could be so vulnerable, then surely we can as well.
Travis Moffitt