First, because God is always good
1.   GOD’S PLANS FOR MY LIFE WILL ALWAYS BE GOOD
      Is there anything God can’t do? Yes!  Do evil!   Can’t deny his character.
Jer. 29:11 “‘I know what I’ve planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you! My plans will give you hope and a good future. And when you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you!” (NCV)       
Do you  see the connection with prayer?
            -  You are not an accident!    God has a purpose for your life!
            -  God put a lot of thought into creating your life
            -  God’s plans for me are revealed and realized through prayer!
 
      God didn’t have to create a plan for your life! 
Could’ve left it all chance, but he didn’t. Why?  Because he’s Good!
Ps 31:19 -"  God, your goodness is so great!  You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You do so much for those who come to you for protection, Blessing them before the watching world!” (NLT)       

What you know about someone determines how you talk to them
      SAME WAY Your understanding of what God is really like
       shapes everything else in your life, including how you pray!
           Nothing influences your life more than how you view God!
   So what is God really like?  God has many characteristics
     Omniscient...Omnipotent...Just... Loving... Kind...Unchanging...Holy...
       
                     Today: just look at GOD’S GOODNESS
Ps. 100:5 “The Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.”   
            The reason there is good in the world – Good Creator
                        God is the source of all Good in the World.
                                    Can’t spell Good without God
    The reason there is evil.. God doesn’t force us to do good!

I asked you: What word describes how you feel about prayer:
                              Some descriptions
    frustrated... inept . ..awkward... unsatisfied... confused
         a mystery ... I don’t understand how it works ...want it better
                                               I need help! 
          o I’ve never met anyone who thought they were outstanding at prayer.
                  No PhDs in prayer. Everybody knows they could be better at it.
  Even . Paul considered himself to be a novice at prayer!
                   ROM 8:26  “We don't even know what we should pray for,
                                          nor how we should pray...”  (NLT
 o And even the disciples who lived with Jesus asked for help
   LK. 11:1 “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When  
   he finished, one of the disciples said  "Lord, teach us to pray...” 

HOSEA 6:6 “I don't want your sacrifices--I want your love! I don't want your offerings, I want you to know me!”  (LB)
            Feel the passion?  The longing God has for you?
   One of the most amazing verses in Bible is JOHN 15:15 screen
    Jesus said, “I don’t call you servants...I call you my friends!”
                  You were formed for a friendship with God!
                        Does anything matter more than that
                   Will you treat that casually & just walk away?
   HOW DO I GET CLOSER TO GOD?   Desire it & Make time for it!     
 PS. 25:14 “Friendship with God is reserved for those who rever-ence him. With them, He shares the secrets of his covenant.”  (NLT)
   JAM. 4:8 “Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you!” (NLT)
            In the days ahead, you’ll learn how…and the many benefits                             
   The Closer I Am To God, the less stressed & more blessed I’ll be
 

GOD LONGS TO BE CLOSE TO ME!
      If you’re away from someone you love for a long time - can’t wait to talk
   God is waiting for you to talk to him.  Not busy. Longing, A privilege!
ISA. 30:18 “The Lord waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion.”  (NLT)
  Some parents know the pain of child that can’t talk to you
                         But  God designed you for a relationship
                        He made you to love you
                        He created you for his companionship
                        He chose you to be his child!
  
   The Bible is full of examples: It tells us that Noah, Job, Enoch, Hezekiah
   and many others all had “a close relationship” with God