"JUST A LITTLE TALK WITH JESUS"

Pittsburg, Oklahoma is a small rural town in southeastern Oklahoma. The town began as a settlement community for mine workers. Originally called “Cowpers”, the new postmaster, Daniel Edwards, decided to name the town after himself and changed the name from “Cowpers" to “Edwards.” This remained the town’s name until the postmaster, still catching heat for naming the town after himself, changed the name to Pittsburg and was incorporated in 1912.

In its heyday the town was bustling with two mines, two railroads, two banks, two doctors and a pharmacy among other businesses with close to one thousand residents.

Fast forward to the summer of 2007 and Pittsburg, Oklahoma’s newest resident, Bartholomew “Bart” Bell was dreading the beginning of his senior year in high school in small town Americana.

Bart was a thug, period. His mother, at her wit’s end and worried Bart was going to be killed or spend the rest of his life making little rocks out of big rocks, sent Bart to live with his paternal grandparents. Bart had run out of options in hometown Austin, Texas as he had been suspended for the fifth time at his fourth high school. School officials in Austin had pronounced Bart as persona non grata. They had had enough of Bart’s fighting, tossing cherry bombs in the teacher’s lounge, spray painting crude names of teachers he didn’t like at just about every school facility in Austin and strong arming kids for their lunch money to name a few.

Bart’s poor mama was convinced he was acting out in his own way to adjust to his father’s death a few years before. Bart’s dad was a gunny sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and a war hero several times repeated. Tragically, he was killed in the second battle of Fallejuah during the Iraq War, described as the fiercest ground combat battle the USA has ever been involved.

Taking after his father, Bart was a big kid at 6’5 and also inherited his dad’s propensity for drinking beer and fighting. Yes, Bart was a thug, a throwback from the 1950’s. No drugs or guns for Bart, just booze, girls, trouble and fighting and usually in that order.

Bart’s mother had tried to get him to go to church with her but Bart wasn’t interested. Closest Bart ever got to a church or religion was the fact he was named after the Apostle Bartholomew. Bart had horns holding up any halos following him that might have come from his namesake.

Third day in Pittsburg and Bart drove his grandpa’s riding law mower into the pond. Bart had jumped off before the John Deere took a bath but had landed on a rock and had injured several of his ribs. When the pain didn’t subside, his grandparents took him to the doctor who saw something outside his practice so he sent Bart to a specialty hospital in Dallas.

Bart’s mother and Rachel, his older sister came to visit him in the Dallas hospital. Rachel had bought him a green balloon which said “get well soon.”

Bart knew he wouldn't have long to live. He could feel it, deep inside. Seeing his grandmother cry after talking with the doctor increased his feelings of dread. His time had come. He couldn’t tell anyone though because Bart figured they would either pity him or be happy to get rid of him.

After his mother and Rachel left, Bart ripped a page off his notebook and wrote:

"Dear God, I know I messed up and was mean to lots of people. I know nobody likes me because of my anger. Please give me a second chance. I can show you what a good person and friend I can be." Bart signed his name and gave God the address of the hospital then walked unsteady to the window, and let the balloon fly away, carrying his message to God.

The balloon soared then headed straight towards the Dallas skyline then finally disappeared out of view.

Two days passed and a very good looking girl knocked on his hospital room door telling Bart in broken English; “I find green balloon and your note to God. Are you lonely?”

Bart just nodded as he was too startled to talk and still mesmerized by the girl’s beauty.

"I lonely too the girl added. “My family come from Brazil and I no speak English good." She smiled saying; "I bring gift to you." She handed Bart a box of chocolates then tells him; "I pray for friend and God give me balloon telling me I can find friend here.”

Normally, Bart would have made fun of her broken English, but he knew better. He knew God sent him an angel. He smiled and offered her the first chocolate.

Most of us would give an arm or leg to get the results Bart got by sending God a message by balloon and getting an answer in just two days, wouldn’t we? Personally, I never can find the answered prayer express line so I would be one of those who would give a limb or two for God’s quick answers.

Because communicating with God is the backbone of our Christian walk and service, it is immensely important to know how to pray. Before exploring the mechanics of “how to pray” it is important to set the table before getting to the meat of the matter.

We must understand there is not any “magic formula” to praying. Some people believe if they do not say the right words or pray in a certain position then God will not hear and answer our prayer. This is completely unbiblical. God does not answer our prayers based on when we pray, where we are, what position our body is in, or in what order we word our prayers. God’s Good Book tells us we should pray thankfully and confidently to God and not be anxious. (1 John 5:14-15, John 14:13-14, Philippians 4:6-7)

When the Apostles asked Jesus when, where and how to pray, Jesus taught them to pray to the Heavenly Father. Some people think that is splitting hairs but sans the fact Jesus teaches us to pray to the Father, think of it as turning on the light. You go to a switch that sends an electric current through a wire to the bulb. All three—the switch, the wire and the bulb—produce a single light. It is the same with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is one, but all three persons.

The vast majority of time, Jesus prayed to the Heavenly Father while he was alone and very early in the morning while it was still dark. (Mark 1:35) Jesus prayed by giving the Heavenly Father thanksgiving, praise and reverence. (Luke 10:21, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:44). Jesus also included prayers for the Apostles and all believers. (John 17:11) Lastly, Jesus prayed for the Heavenly Father’s will be done. (Matthew 26:39)

Now we know we are to pray in solitude and our prayers are to be addressed to the Heavenly Father containing our thanks, gratitude, praise, avoiding temptation and for God’s will to be done. Plus, we need to include in our prayers asking God for forgiveness of our sins and trespasses. Jesus didn’t sin but we do and need to include forgiveness for ourselves and forgiving those who have been mean to us or wronged us.

God wants us to make a case and reason together about our prayer requests. (Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 43:25) No, He doesn’t want us to be shy or to limit our requests to three per household so to speak. Most of all, believe God wants to and will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Heavenly Father, thank You for allowing us to pray to You anywhere, anytime and about anything regardless if we are a thug, adulterer, murderer, drug addict, alcoholic or a world champion sinner. Thank You for remembering our sins no more. Let us "Have a Little Talk With Jesus" each day and every day.