Relationships Kept Intact

A couple months ago in my Sunday school small group, I distinctly remember our leader saying something really, really neat. It definitely stuck with me, and I share it with whomever I feel needs to hear it. She said "Your relationship with God works the same way as a relationship with a human friend. If you only listen to them, but don't talk; you have an incomplete, dysfunctional relationship. If you only talk, but don't listen; it's still dysfunctional." That is so true, and can be completely applied to our relationship with God! Why? Prayer is talking, and reading the word of God is listening. Without both of them put together, neither really does any good in our lives or with our relationship with him. 

"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all saints." -Ephesians 6:17-18