Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.  Hebrews 4:16 HCSB

The book Power and Privilege was written by Gerhard Lenski. It examines social inequality and asks the question, who gets what and why? Social inequality is allegedly at the root of some of the violent protests that we are seeing in our nation today. James 4:2 says, “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.”

Last Wednesday night our pastor spoke of the privilege of prayer. You may have heard or sung the song, What a Friend We Have in Jesus. The lyrics were written by Joseph Scriven in 1855 as a poem to comfort his mother who was living in Ireland while he was living in Canada. The music was composed by Charles Converse in 1868. This beautiful old hymn says, “Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” We all are God’s children. We all have the privilege to go to Him in prayer.

My paternal grandmother was a strong Christian influence in my life as was my mother. I lost my grandmother when I was in my early 20’s. But looking back, I realize that I had the privilege of having not one but three fine Christian women in my life. My mother was diagnosed with dementia in 2015 and has lived with me since 2016. The dementia has taken away the privilege of regular conversation with my mom and this is what I miss the most. I miss being able to converse with her. I thank God for my sister who is also a strong Christian and I thank God for the privilege of still being able to talk to her.

God gives us the privilege of communicating with Him through His son, Jesus Christ, who acts as our intercessor (Romans 8:34). This is why we can boldly approach the throne of grace. Now I realize that not everyone was raised in a Christian home, but if you are old enough to read this, then understand that you can go to God in prayer. You have that privilege.

The other thing we must understand is the power in prayer. James 5:16 tells us that there is great power in the urgent prayer of a righteous person. I will admit that God’s power is so amazing that I sometimes have a hard time wrapping my head around it. But I do firmly believe in it. I believe that I can take any problem big or small to God and He will help me. I firmly believe that He will do what is best for me (Romans 8:28) and guide me in the way that I should go (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Many people rush to read their horoscopes and actually spend money talking to those that claim to be able to tell their future. Be very careful, my friend. We are warned against this in Leviticus 20:6. Why consult someone who claims to know your future. We know that God knows what our future holds because He holds our future. We have the privilege to pray to Him and to have access to His awesome power.

When I look around me, it is easy to see that the biggest issue with prayer today is that not enough people are doing it. Even people that are in church on a regular basis are not taking time each day to communicate with God through His son, Jesus Christ. God created us to be in fellowship with Him. We can’t be in fellowship with someone when we are not communicating.

Daily prayer and Bible study are critical to our lives. We need that fellowship with God. We were made for it. If you have been neglecting to not only read your Bible, but engage in Bible study daily then you are missing out on a good conversation with God. If you are praying vain repetitious phrases, but not really seeking God with your whole heart then you are missing out on the privilege that has been given you.

I thank God for the Christian women in my life that have taken time out to listen to me, talk to me, and guide me. They have helped me to understand that we serve a God who wants the same kind of relationship with me. He wants me to come to Him and He will come to me (James 4:8). He wants you to do the same. He wants to give you a peace that is beyond comprehension (Philippians 4:7) combined with unending joy (Isaiah 51:11).

Neither privilege, nor power do you any good if you don’t use it and access it. We have a wonderful friend in Jesus. Why would we forfeit the peace he offers? Why would we bear pain needlessly? Why would we not carry everything to God in prayer?

This wraps up our week long discussion on the importance or prayer. My prayer for you today is that you enter into a strong, loving relationship with your Lord and Savior. There is nothing you will do in the course of a day that is more important than spending quality time with Him. He wants to give you good things (James 1:17). He wants to work all things out for you good (Romans 8:28). Isn’t it time you let him do just that?

Have a great day!