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!

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
 

PRAYER IS: a conversation, not a ceremony .
NOT monologue, talk & listen
A relationship, not a ritual
  If prayer is boring to you- you misunderstand the point of it.!
  and you are talking about the wrong things!
  It’s not a duty... it’s a privilege!    
You are to  enjoy /not endure
  People often miss the verse after Jer. 29:11
JER. 29:11-12 “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” (NCV)
  And he’s interested in everything  you are interested in because he loves you

.  Prayer is not a tug of war with God!      
                        You have wear God down until he give in & gives you.
                        Beg – please, please, pretty please  give me
                        Bargain – God, if you do this for me, I’ll do that for you
                        Bribe – make a sales pitch to God
                       We cannot keep on pestering and badgering God until he gives in
 Prayer is not a ritual to relieve guilt!
             You really blew it- sinned- so you have pay for it by praying a lot
  Jesus specifically told us to NOT repeat the same thing over & over
            MT. 6:7says “When you pray DO NOT use meaningless repetition
            thinking that you will be heard for your many words.” (NAS)
                   Not mindless ritual…repeating clichés...over and over again.