1. One of the reasons people “leave God” when they leave toxic churches is b/c toxic churches teach prayer as primarily abt petition and not communion. When prayer is about petition & corporate gatherings alone are about communion, when you leave the gathering you lose communion.

2. There are reasons for why churches find it in their interest to teach prayer not as communion, but merely about petition. It’s a strategy copied from Roman Catholicism. If the institutional church is the only access point to communion w/ God; it holds all spiritual power.

3. A faithful biblical theology of prayer will teach that prayer is primarily about communion with God & not merely about listing off petitions of needs & desires. However, such a theology gives a Christian power & divine access and institutional churches lost power & authority.

4. This isn’t controversial tho, this truth was foundational to Protestant Reformation. The truth that wherever the Christian kneels is sacred ground liberated & transformed those under the spiritually abusive yoke of Roman Catholicism. Protestants Have sadly become Catholic.

5. For the sake of clarity, there is a difference between Roman Catholicism & Catholicism. Throughout the history of the church, there have been Catholics, typically those very disconnected from Rome, who have practiced prayer primarily as communion.

6. But here’s the thing. One of the clearest ways Christians demonstrate union w/ Christ is thru prayer. When a Christian prays, they are clothed in the righteousness of a Christ & God receives them as if Christ himself was before the throne. That’s why we pray in “Jesus’ name”.

7. The Righteousness of God is given to us as a gift thru faith (Romans 3) and with that gift we are now privileged to commune with our Heavenly Father, creator of the universe. God delights in giving us gifts, but he primarily desires to simply hear from you, beloved.

8. One of the greatest errors taught about prayer is that God is like a genie; The idea that your relating to God is thru merely asking him for things. No, you are his child. He are blameless b4 him by virtue of faith. He wants to hear your voice. He wants to simply hear you.

9. Your thoughts, concerns, joys, struggles, ideas, ambitions, desires, & just simple conversation. Christ has won for you, for all Christians, the privilege of a relationship w/ The Trinity & that relationship is truly familial. You are not alone, the Godhead is your family.