I am a person who always needs remindings, even after lessons I still tend to forget what I've learned.

I have been taught, prayer is good. Praying is like spiritual breathing. Prayer is essential. Prayers can bring forth revival. Prayers can help you walk in God's will. Prayers...etc... And the list goes on...

But to be honest, I struggled to pray. My mind always slipped off during coorporate prayers. Although I was still praying everyday, I know I wasn't enjoying it because my prayers were as short as possible. There were so many things to pray for. I got tired. Sometimes once in a while, my prayers were answered and I always thanked God. I prayed and prayed for the reasons above. I knelt and prayed, I didn't feel anything. I thought I wasn't serious enough until I was strucked when I heard this,

The situations that I was in just show one thing,  the shallowness of my relationship with God.

The goal of prayer is not reward. The goal of prayer is relationship.

After I reflected and meditated on this truth, I started to desire for God. I started to love praying. I prayed with my love for God. I felt my walk with God improved. Now,  I love talking to Him so much. When I do my work, I talk to Him. When I take shower I talk to Him. I can talk to Him all day long. I cannot pray enough. And amazingly God starts to speak to me. He reveals things to me that I should do or I should know. I find it easier to obey Him in small things because I love to still talk to Him. My friendship with God grows! Prayer is a dialogue. God wants to speak to us too! This is really wonderful!

The goal of prayer is not reward. The goal of prayer is relationship.

As you desire for this relationship with God, I pray that you will pray more. Just start talking to Him now. It will grow.

Speaking of church meeting, what makes a difference to a good meeting and a bad meeting? Is it the programmes? The flow? The excitement of the crowd? They help to make a meeting good. But I believe there's only one thing that matters.

It is God's presence.

How many people have missed the point? How many times we just neglect Holy Spirit in our lives, and in our services? How sad? Let's again examine, why do you meet together in church every week? To ne honest, I find many people come to church for fellowship. This is not wrong. But I think the primary purpose is to meet God.

Friends, you have to desire for God's presence. God cannot help you with that, because that is your own desire. God cannot force you to love Him.

I have just listened to two very good sermons about God's presence. You may want to watch them too. Visit http://www.chc.org.sg  Check out the video session <The ark of God> and <Sacrifice of Praise>. I am sure you will be blessed.