“Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!” – Psalm 66:20

 

 

 

When I come home from work, my wife Monica and I like to spend time together talking or maybe watching a little TV. After long days, it is nice to just relax and be together when we can. That relaxation is usually broken up abruptly by various children who seem to always need to come into the room and tell us something. Sometimes it’s to tattle on a sister or maybe to ask for a snack before bed. Occasionally, it’s just to say a few words to us about whatever is on their minds as the moment. Monica and I stay pretty active in the lives of our children and know many of the things the kids have a concern about before they express the problem or need, but we are always ready to listen to our children.

 

 

 

We have a Heavenly Father who treats us the same way. No matter the circumstances and no matter the problems, God is always there with us to lend an ear. Only with God, He already knows everything that is going on well in advance before we say a word. If we need for something, God has already identified that need and had set the wheels in motion for our provisions. There is nobody that is more actively a part of our lives than God and rest assured that our Father has an “open door policy” when it comes to His children.

 

 

 

The Bible teaches us that God always has time to listen to His children. We are taught to pray continuously and to call upon the Lord at any time, because He will answer. We can pray both with our mouths and our actions. God responds just the same to them both. The book of Romans says that even when we can’t speak, the Holy Spirit of God prays for us in groanings that can’t be expressed by words. God is always with us, ready to listen to us and take care of His children.

 

 

 

That’s not to say that He will give us whatever we want; quite the contrary. God is not a genie and we can’t expect to rub the Bible to get three wishes for whatever we want. The Lord truly does answer every prayer, but sometimes it’s not a yes. Sometimes it’s a no. Other times the answer might be a “not right now.” Those kinds of answers don’t sit well with us much, but that’s due to our greed and impatience. We may want everything, but we don’t NEED for everything, no matter how much we may think otherwise. God does hear us nevertheless and as shown over and over throughout history, God will go to great lengths for His children if we only ask, even to the point of parting a sea, calming a storm, or far beyond our wildest expectations.

 

 

 

So, how can we have our prayers answered? By coming to the cross of Jesus Christ. We can’t live in a constant state of sinfulness and expect good things to come from it. We have to admit those sins and turn away from them, but it’s never too late. The Bible in the Gospel of Luke shows two thieves hung on crosses next to Jesus. One of them admitted his wrongdoings and asked Jesus to remember him in Heaven. Jesus replied to the man, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus through all of His pain and torture on the cross, heard that man’s prayer. Think of it, even despite all that the thief did to get nailed onto his own cross, his prayers were still heard by his Savior. Let that rest your mind and heart, the fact that there’s nothing you could do that would ever be bad enough to have God not hear your prayers.

 

 

 

My kids know that they can come to me anytime and I will do all I can to help them. Our Heavenly Father is no different. In fact, He is not only listening for us to speak to Him, He is hoping we will speak to Him. It is especially nice now and then when my kids come to me just to say they love me. Our Father loves us and feels immense joy when we clasp our hands in prayer just to say a quick “I love you.” I know that my children need food, clothing, and a roof over their heads, and I will provide those whether they ask or not; but I do enjoy doing special things for them if they ask for it with love. That same statement can be said of God, who is willing to do exceedingly and abundantly for the sake of His children if we only ask it out of a kind and loving heart.

 

 

 

If you’ve come to the cross in humility and repentance, you can then take advantage of God’s open door policy and come boldly to His throne. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” God loves us and He is ready to listen when we are ready to speak. Come to Him today.

 

 

 

God’s blessings to you.

 

DH