Friendship With God - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) October 16, 2026

We hear all this talk about relationship goals, but do you know that God has relationship goals when it comes to us human beings? Yes, relationship is important to Him, and particularly good relationships. Although He is the creator, He desires to have a good relationship - a friendship - with each person He created.

Friendship was always part of God's plan for humanity, and Jesus was sent to seal the deal. Romans 5:10-11 - For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. / So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God (NLT).

Jesus came to restore the relationship between God and people. This is a thing of joy for those who choose the Son as their Lord and Savior get to rejoice in having a friendship with the Lord. It may seem hard to believe, but imagine a father and son. When the son is a child, the father must parent. However, as the child matures, the nature of the relationship shifts from parenting to a more cordial one.

God had a similar bond with Abraham. He called him 'friend', speaking to him when he was awake and asleep. Abraham was privy to information that others could never attain, simply because of the nature of his connection to the Almighty (Genesis 15). God told him things about his future, and even about strangers, including what would happen to the people living in the land where he was a foreigner. And everything He revealed came to pass (Joshua 21:45).

Jesus was no different with His disciples. He revealed the secret things that He learned from the Lord to them. In John 15:15, He called them friends. He also addressed their concerns, such as healing Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:30-31). Despite their proximity to Jesus, they never treated Him badly, except for Judas, who changed when satan entered him (Luke 22:3). Jesus valued His friends and only left them so He could do His Father's will. And still, He didn't leave them alone, making sure they received the Holy Spirit.

And through Jesus, we believers receive the gift of a new relationship with the Lord. Where sin would have guaranteed a journey to hell, we gain access to God's forgiveness and redemption. And as we live in the light, the blood of the Lamb continues to purify us (1 John 1:7). We receive the Holy Spirit plus access to gifts and fruits that set us apart from others.

This is why God's children get dreams or revelation from the throne about what is happening, what is to come, and what occurred in the past. Such information reflects the new relationship with God. The deeper that connection becomes, the more He can trust us with secret and unsearchable things about people and situations.

He doesn't share that information so believers can feel like a super-class of people. Instead, He shares such insight so they can partner with Him to achieve His goals on earth. It also means that His concerns become our concerns. His friends can stand in the gap just as Abraham did when he learned what was to come for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This type of relationship means responsibility, just as it would with a normal, human being.

As with all good relationships, complete respect is needed when dealing with God. Though a friend, Abraham always approached Him with reverence, which only pleased the Lord even more. A relationship with God also requires understanding that He is friendly but can't be taken advantage of. He is to be treated with great care and appreciation, especially because He is King of kings and our very lives are in His hands.

Invest in enjoying the benefits of a relationship with Him and receive His very best. Choosing to be righteous and obey His word, coming to Him earnestly, and desiring His more all go a long way to deepening the connection. Honoring His Son's sacrifice in the way we think, act, and speak, while cooperating with His Spirit, ensures rewards here on earth and in heaven. God treats His friends well, and He goes beyond them to bless a thousand generations. This shall be our portion, IJN, Amen.

What are your thoughts? Please share them. And as you wait for fellowship at Noon EST, watch the video in the Altar Call and read these old posts:

1. On Godly Friendships: David & Jonathan

2. On Godly Friendships: Jesus & the Disciples

3. Ungodly Friendships: Amnon, Rehoboam & 'Friends'

4. On Godly Friends: Job & Friends

5. The Impact of Your Relationship With God

6. satan Wants To Weaponize Our Relationship With God

7. Hold On To What You Have

8. Should Christians Befriend Unbelievers?

9. Become Friends With Jesus

10. Topic: God's Revelation

11. Topic: Intercessor & Intercession