Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– William Law
In Reverence
When people in the Old Testament had encounters with God or the angel of the Lord, they fell on their faces. If God was present, they had to take off their shoes because they were standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). This was because wherever God is, His holiness follows. Today we can pray to God without fear of His wrath but still approach Him with a deep, holy reverence. That’s the best approach to prayer, in my opinion, as I’ve read of many such accounts in the Bible.
In Intimacy
There is nothing like telling someone your deepest, darkest secrets or those besetting sins that no one else knows about. What better reason to pray to God and pour out our hearts to Him because He already knows it anyway. You can tell Him your innermost secrets in complete confidence and privacy. God is not like us; He does not gossip. Prayer requests can easily become gossip trains. The psalmist wrote, “Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether” (Psalm 139:4), and “no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
In Thankfulness
The one thing we should never leave out of our prayers is giving God thanks for His many wonderful blessings. I know it’s hard to be thankful to God when you’re battling an illness, suffering from depression, facing a relationship crisis, or looking at financial ruin. Job said that even “though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15a). Give thanks to God in prayer, even when you don’t feel like it. That’s well pleasing to Him, and it’s always good to please the Father.
Conclusion
Prayer is the nearest approach we can get to God, so why not seek Him in prayer today. But hold His name in reverence while pouring out your heart to Him and give Him thanks for everything (good and bad). We should be thankful because He’s given us the most precious gift of all: eternal life through Jesus Christ.
