“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16
Prayer is a gift of God. It is significant to think that we can have a conversation with the creator of heaven and earth. Through God’s grace, we have had the doors opened wide to know that that we can, as the book of Hebrews states, “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Grace is God’s offering of connection to us, His children. God wants to be in connection with us. God desires a relationship with us. The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us of the time when a priest and a sacrifice were required for us to enter the presence of God. The arrival of Jesus offers a new revelation to the world. Because of the grace and love of God found in Christ Jesus, we can approach our Father in Heaven with our prayers. Even in our struggles to pray, God will provide the connection for us to share our praise and petitions.
One of the great struggles many people face when they try to pray is that they feel like they don’t know how to do it correctly. Many struggle with whether their attempts to pray are somehow correct. It is good to take prayer seriously. Talking with God is a holy experience. The sacred practice of prayer is not so much about how it is done, but rather that we desire to connect with God. God will listen. God will speak. Prayer is possible, not because of how eloquent we are or how well-practiced we are. Prayer is possible because God has offered it as a gift.
When you take time to pray today, start by giving thanks for the gift of God’s grace. Remember, with thanksgiving, that prayer is a gift from God. Let this moment of gratitude remind you that God has willingly opened heaven to our prayer. This will give us the confidence to pray, “Our Father, who art in heaven…”
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
