This is only the tip of the prayer iceberg. God desires relationship, not mere religion. Why? Because religion is a creation of man but relationship is of God. It is religion that can begin to rely on itself and its own understanding and relegate prayer to some abstract idea. Sure we can take real action in our lives, our communities and our country but if it is not undergirded with prayer, we will be trying to accomplish it in our own strength and we will not know if we are even in the perfect will of God.
Prayer is found throughout the
Bible. It is the connection between God and His people and still is today. It
is more valuable than any ritual of man; any opinions or solutions of this
world. God is not some abstract concept in a far away galaxy. He resides within
those who believe in Him. He is at our right hand. He is the fourth person in
the fiery furnace. He is the sole set of footprints in the sand. When the
answers of the world leave you empty and wandering, call out to God and He will
lift you up in your time of need. He does not change and He does not move. Pray
morning, noon and night beloved. Pray alone and in the congregation. Pray so
His peace may rest upon you and so you can find His great grace and mercy.
Remember, God knows the correct answer and holds all time in His hands. I leave
you with a prayer the Apostle Paul prayed to the church at
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family
in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches
he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know
this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all
the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3: 14-21
Amen indeed.
Reverend Anthony Wade November 6, 2009
