March 4, 2019 - When Jesus died on the cross of Calvary his death gave all who would come to him the venue by which anyone of us can come to the throne of God, at any time we choose. We come in prayer to speak with our Father, to ask him for help and sometime, just to offer thanks to him for what he has so graciously given us.
The prayer of Daniel when asked to interpret the dream of king Nebuchadnezzar;
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)
A blessed prayer for all seasons, all times. A prayer which gives God the praise and glory which only he deserves.
In these few words Daniel credits God with being Omniscient and Omnipotent, with the power of changing the seasons and controlling time. He acknowledges God’s Omnipresence as he does all things as one. And he acknowledges the presence of our Lord Jesus with him as well as he speaks of the “Light” dwelling with God as does our Lord today.
Jesus teaches us to pray in this manner;
“Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matt. 6:9-13)
Jesus also describes how we are to pray to the Father, not as do the hypocrites who like to pray loudly in the streets to be heard by others, no, Jesus says; “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matt. 6:6)
Jesus is telling us to pray in confidence but also to pray with humility giving God the praise and glory for his deity, the honor and respect that only He deserves.
And Jesus also gives us this hope for our prayers to the Father as he says; “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matt. 21:22)
Faith, that which unites us with Christ, the single requirement for a life with Christ, the common denominator in all who believe and follow God’s will in their lives.
Faith is the thing that determines success in one’s prayer life, for without faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, without belief that he died for the sins of all mankind, and without belief that the Father then raised him from the grave to live at his right hand forevermore, there is no relationship with the Father God.
The apostle Paul give us this instruction for living as Christians when he says; “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18)
And so, how is your prayer life? Do you pray in earnest each day to the Father? Do you pray without ceasing, meaning that you pray often each day, asking the Father for direction and guidance? The closer you come to God the more you will find yourself talking with him about all things, giving thanks for all things in all circumstances, both good and bad.
May we all pray without ceasing to our Heavenly Father each day…
