Relating to a recent message on prayer, here’s something I picked up from the memorial service of Sue Marotta, who passed away suddenly on January 23 at the age of 83. She and Basil had been in full-time ministry for well over 20 years.

Sue, like the apostles (see Acts 5.42), taught “in the temple and from house to house,” according to her friends at the memorial. In a house, her preferred podium was the kitchen table! So what was the prayer lesson? Sue encouraged people to:

Talk to God like he’s your friend! Quit “praying” to him!! -Sue Marotta

That’s a good word from someone who, as I write, can talk with Jesus face-to-face.

Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. (Exodus 33.11, ESV)

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15.15, NIV)