Prayer

October 2, 2011

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (I Peter 2:9))

Because we are royal priests, we can approach the throne of grace and mercy. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Think of it. We are allowed to draw near to the throne of our Father with confidence, not with timidity or trembling, but confidence! Not as beggars hoping for scraps, but as brethren of the king, as we are called in “For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren”.Hebrews 2:11 Jesus, having been tempted in all things just like us, understands. Knowing that He listens to me and cares for me causes me to be grateful as I come before my heavenly Father. I have confidence to approach my Father because I am His child.

I found this poem by Helen Lowrie Marshall titled “Grateful,” and to me it conveys my feelings about this privilege.
I’m grateful for the privilege of prayer,
Grateful I can call and know He’s there;
Grateful for the peace that floods my soul,
For the strength to press on toward the goal,
For the faith that banishes all doubt,
For the hope that puts my fears to route;
Grateful for the sweet surcease from care—-
Grateful for the privilege of prayer.

She says so very well what I feel. God admonishes us to turn our worries over to Him “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (I Peter 5:7). When we actually do that, there is a peace unlike any other. I have been in situations where I didn’t know what to pray or how to express myself because I was so caught up in what was happening. Thanks to our Father, who knows me and gave a way to help. “For we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words,” (Romans 8:26b). God is there for His children at all times! Prayer is a privilege that we have been granted by our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus, thanks to His sacrifice. How often do we pray to our Father during the day? I know of people who pray while driving to work and as often as they can during the day, and I know of people who pray only at mealtimes and at bedtime, having been taught that as children. We are encouraged to “pray without ceasing.” Let’s take advantage of that privilege, not just to ask God for things, but to thank and praise Him.

————————————-▼————————————-

Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer that you have given us. We are so very grateful that we can come before You to praise, to thank, and request aid knowing that You hear, knowing that You respond. In the name of our Savior Jesus. ~ Ed

Ed Wittlif ~ Denver, Colorado (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Ed Wittlif, former preacher of Albert Lea Church of Christ in Albert Lea, Minnesota, is a University Church of Chirst member.

University Church of Christ

Prayer