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In our last devotion, the focus was on anxiety and how to overcome. Part of that overcoming is maintaining connection with our Heavenly Father, and that largely happens through prayer. Throughout Scripture, there are many instances where prayer is referenced. From Jesus’ teaching of the model prayer in Luke 11, to Jesus’ prayer for His followers (present and future) in John 17, to Paul’s many comments about prayer through his epistles, we as Christ-followers are given lots of information about the How’s, Who’s, and What’s of prayer. But, before we get into any of that, I think it’s important to remember the baseline that the writer of Hebrews establishes for us regarding the Why of prayer.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)

Up to this point in Hebrews, the author has taught us that Jesus is supreme above all (ch 1), as a result He is to be taken seriously and recognized as the author and founder of our salvation (ch 2), and that he brings rest for His people (ch 3-4). At the conclusion of chapter 4, the writer of Hebrews makes clear that Jesus is our true High Priest – a callback to Hebrews 3:1 – and that He is a High Priest who understands us. In other words, Jesus, the One and Only Son of God, who came to Earth, perfectly understands who we are and how we work. He understands our weaknesses and our temptations.

Our fears. Our struggles. Our frustrations. All of it. He gets it.

But it’s more than that. It’s not just that He can empathize with us where we are. He invites us into connection with Him, telling us we can “approach the throne of grace with confidence” to find exactly what we need in the midst of crisis. Think about what that means. You have been invited into personal relationship with the One True King – The God of the Universe! He loved you before you took your first breath – enough that He sent His Son for you, and He wants to hear from you! That is the foundation of prayer. It’s not about going begging and pleading to God on bended knee saying, “Please help me Lord!” We can do that, but prayer is intended to be SO MUCH MORE. It’s about real connection with an unreal God whose love for us knows no bounds.

Think about what that means. You have been invited into personal relationship with the One True King – The God of the Universe! He loved you before you took your first breath – enough that He sent His Son for you, and He wants to hear from you!

So, when you read Scripture that says, “pray continually,” or “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication,” know that God is reminding you to stay connected to Him. Also know that where Scripture leads us to “let your requests be made known to God,” it is meant to remind us not of an available lifeline if we need it, but an always-available connection to a Daddy worth trusting.

Application: When was the last time you had a good conversation with God? Whether it was a few minutes, days, or decades ago, He is waiting, ready, and able to listen.

Next time: For some of you, this topic is hard. Some of you have had major trials. Some of you have Daddy’s who proved themselves untrustworthy. Some of you have had (fill in the blank) happen that cause you to struggle with faith. That idea – faith – is where we’ll head next Monday.