“Ma-ma!” Usually, my young toddler cries my name when he’s upset. Regardless, I respond quickly to him and know that one day, he’ll be saying, “I love you, mama,” and melting my heart. I do look forward to that day.

Perhaps God feels the same way about us. How often do we run crying to Him, demanding something or asking for Him to meet our need? Like the good Father He is, He turns a listening ear to our cry. But how much more does He long for us to call His name reverently and from a place of love and trust, rather than toddler-like fuss?

As I write these words, I feel convicted. Perhaps God longs to hear the words I look forward to my son saying one day. Perhaps He longs to hear you say them, too.

As I write these words, I feel convicted. Perhaps God longs to hear the words I look forward to my son saying one day. Perhaps He longs to hear you say them, too.

#1. Thank you.

Instead of starting our prayers with a long list of requests (and we mamas sure have long lists sometimes), we should start with praise. God has done so much for you and me. Psalm 136:1 reminds us of two reasons we can always give thanks. “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (NKJV). God is always good, and His mercy never ends. No matter what we are facing today, we can and should thank Him. 

#2. I’m sorry.

Do you ever make excuses for your bad attitude, your spirit of entitlement, or your lack? If God had given me X, then I would have Y and Z. The truth is that Scripture says He has already given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3 NKJV). We can experience a renewed relationship with God when we confess our sin and make sure that nothing stands between our souls and our Savior.

#3. I trust you.

Sometimes, we doubt God because He hasn’t given us what we’ve prayed for. However, Matthew 7:9-11 reminds us that our Father’s heart is for us. He desires our good, and when He doesn’t give us what we want, He does so to protect us or to give us what we need instead. “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (NKJV) Even when His “good things” are not the answers we desired, we can trust He has our best interests at heart.

#4. I love you.

I say this simple sentence to my son all the time. Twice, he mimicked it back to me. I was ecstatic, but how much more joy-filled I will be when I know he means and understands the words, I love you.

I John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us” (NKJV). God the Father modeled ultimate love by sending His Son Jesus to pay the price of our sins (I John 4:10), paving the way for us to love Him and others. He longs to hear us say and show our love for Him. 

What do you think God wants to hear you say to Him today? How might some of these simple words, spoken sincerely, draw you closer to His heart?