“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it!” John 14:12-14 NLT
Privilege of Prayer
The greatest privilege we have on our journey on this earth is the access of communication with our Lord. The word privilege in the dictionary reads the principle or condition of enjoying special rights or immunities.
Many times I have had the privilege of caring for my grandchildren. One particular time was in the evening which consisted of the usual: preparing them dinner, having them take their baths, and reading them a bedtime story— then it was time for bed. Two of my grandchildren welcomed bedtime; the other two never wanted the evening to end. The evening at bedtime with the latter of the two began with the ongoing saga of requesting water, food, chatting among themselves, and anything else that could possibly delay them from going to sleep.
As the house became quieter, I entered the room of the two that had trouble going to sleep to check on them; one was now sleeping, and the eldest who was seven years old at the time, was still struggling to go to sleep. I suggested that he pray and ask Jesus to help him go to sleep, and he agreed to do so.
It was quiet on the home front for a short time, until I heard these words fairly loud and clear coming from my eldest grandson: “IT’S NOT WORKING!”
Amused with his words, I walked into his room one more time. At this point he was getting rather frustrated, so I encouraged him to pray and ask Jesus once again to help him to go to sleep—and again he agreed to do so.
This simple statement of my grandson’s can become a statement of ours as adults when we don’t apply belief to our prayers. Sometimes we don’t feel that God is answering our prayer as fast as we think He should, or how we think He should; we need to be reminded that He always knows what’s best for us. God’s way is perfect.
It was just a matter of minutes until my grandson was finally fast asleep. It was quiet on the home front once again.
“I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe” (Psalm 116:1, 2 TLB).
Thank You, Lord, for giving us the privilege of talking to You anytime and anywhere. Thank You for hearing us in our hour of need, and for sharing the powerful truth of prayer. We give You all the glory! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.