I saw a bumper sticker once that read, “Nothing fails like prayer.” Thats a sad testimony to the fact that many view God as though he should be some sort of divine butler that ought be ready to answer at their whim. When they ask God for something and he doesnt immediately come through and do their bidding, they therefore excuse themselves from accountability to him or conclude that he doesnt even exist.
Imagine if I called the White House and demanded an audience with the President. They would probably laugh at me and ask me not to call back. You need an invitation to speak to the President, and you would need to come to him on his terms. Do you think the God of the universe would be any different?
The Bible says that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. In Isaiah 66 God says, “To this man will I look, even to him who is of a poor and contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.” That speaks of a humble person, who knows who he is dealing with.
God teaches us in his word that our sins have cause a separation between us, so that he will not hear. Before we can expect God to work in our lives, we must deal with our sin problem.
Did you know that in Proverbs it tells us that “he who turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer will be an abomination.” That means if you refuse to submit to the authority of God’s word, he will not hear your prayer. Yikes!
God is in charge of the universe. You dont come to him on your own terms. You come on his.
Thankfully, there is a remedy for our sin, and there is a way that our relationship with God can be restored, so that we can have access to him anytime we want. Its all wrapped up in the same person, Jesus Christ. When he shed his blood on the cross, he was paying the penalty for your sin, so that if you will believe in his sacrifice, you can have complete forgiveness of sins. His death was a substitute for yours, and now God can legally allow you to go free, based on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and now that your sin has been taken out of the way, there is no longer any separation between you and God. You have access to him any time you want!
Imagine if I told you that I knew the President, and not only did I know him, but that we talk all the time. You would probably laugh at me and tell me to stop telling moonshine. But what if I got out my cellphone, scrolled through my contacts, and dialed the President’s personal line, and had him call me by name when he answered? You would be impressed.
How much more incredible an honor is it to be able to speak at any time and any place to the God of all creation, who knows you by name and constantly has his eye on you? Wow, what a thought!
Have you talked to Him today? Do it now. You’ll be glad you did.