In our day-to-day lives, we are constantly facing challenges: at home, at school, at work, even walking down the street. Some challenges are simple, while others seem impossible. Sometimes we can try to face these challenges on our own, but sometimes they seem like more than we can handle. Luckily we have help in many forms all around us. But do we sometimes forget the greatest source of help we have any time we choose to seek Him? Most of us know we can talk to God, but how often do we remember to talk to God about the big things (or even the small things) in our everyday lives?

Think back to the last challenging situation you were presented with. Do you remember it? What was it? Try to remember the details, picture it, and revive the memory. Do you remember how you overcame the challenge? Did you talk to someone about it? If so, who was it? A friend, a parent, or someone from church? What about God? Do we remember to talk to Him?

We have many people we can talk to. Why talk to God?

God wants to hear from you—regularly

We have an opportunity and a privilege to talk to God, the Maker of the universe! We can talk to the One who formed us, gives us life and gives us the hope of eternal life in His Kingdom. In addition to the ability to talk to God, we know that He wants to hear from us. God takes pleasure in His people (Psalm 149:4).

Our prayers are not a burden to God. We are told to pray without ceasing and to make our requests known to God with prayer, supplication and thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Philippians 4:6).

Make your prayers your own. Express thanks to God for your life and blessings, for your health, and for your family. Pray for others and for the world. Pray for God’s Kingdom to come. Also, when you face a challenging situation of any kind, whether small or big, remember that you can (and should) give it over to God in prayer.

Praying to God builds our faith in Him

When you pray to God and your prayer is answered, it builds faith that God is listening to you.

However, even if your prayer does not appear to be answered immediately, it doesn’t mean that God isn’t listening. God gives different answers. Sometimes the answer is “wait,” or at least “wait a while.” But regardless of the answer you might receive, don’t pray in a “let’s-see-if-this-works-this-time” approach. If God doesn’t answer right away, keep asking. Be patient. Seek His will. In time He will show you His will.

God helps you to prepare for major decisions

During the situation that you have in mind, did you have to make a major decision? While friends, parents and Church members can all provide good advice, they are unable to see the full picture. No human can. God, on the other hand, has a plan for us, and He knows what we will face. So in addition to talking to people around us when we have a major decision to make, we should always turn to God for help and guidance. Jesus also showed us by His example that we should pray to God before making major decisions, just as He did. Before choosing the 12 apostles, Jesus prayed all night: “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostle” (Luke 6:12-13).

While we can talk to God about major decisions, He is also available to help us when we have minor decisions to make. Jesus tells us we are not to worry about our lives. All problems big or small can cause us to worry: “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26).

God strengthens you to overcome temptation

Was temptation present in your challenging situation? Sometimes temptation is clear, but other times it is harder to recognize. An outside opinion can definitely help us recognize temptation, but it is God who gives us the strength to overcome temptation. Jesus made it a point that we should pray to overcome temptation. He said: “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41). He also repeated this point twice in Luke 22 in verse 40: “Pray that you may not enter into temptation,” and in verse 46: “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Without God’s help it is far more likely that we will give in to temptation, but with His help we can succeed.

Because He understands you

Maybe you didn’t talk to someone as you went through a situation. If so, why not? Were you afraid or ashamed? Did you think that no one would understand or that you could deal with it by yourself? God knows the secrets of our heart (Psalm 44:21), and He loves us. We do not need to feel afraid or ashamed of talking to Him.

Although people can empathize with our difficulties, some may not have gone through the situation we are facing or maybe they did not overcome it successfully. Notice in Hebrews 4:15-16: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Whether by talking to someone or going it alone, you made it through the situation. But what about next time? What will you do then? We know we can talk to God at any time about anything. He can help us to prepare for major decisions and to overcome temptation. He loves us and knows what we have done before we tell him, so we have nothing to fear and no need to be ashamed.

So why talk to God? The harder question is—why not? God is waiting to hear from you—His beloved son or daughter. Next time you face a challenging situation and in your day to day lives, remember why you can talk to God. Whether the issue is big or small God is there for you, ready to hear your prayers and to answer them according to His perfect will for you.