Word of Encouragement (2/1/2021)

Why do we need to pray? Simply put, it is because we are needy creatures with limitations, who are desperately dependent on God (and are fortunate enough to have God to depend on). I hope we are all aware of our limitations. As we live in the city of man with all of its technology and convenience, we often feel quite self-sufficient. But if we are honest, there are many moments we feel quite helpless despite our good intentions and busy works. Think of the times when your loved one is deathly sick and is going through a delicate surgery and all you can do is just wait outside, wondering what the result will be. Think of the times when you are applying to a school or a job and all the waiting you have to do until they notify you of their decision. Think of the times when you are trying to sleep but you can’t because of all these racing thoughts in your mind that you can’t control. Think of your loved ones that you can’t control, even your spouse or your children, who refuse to listen to your good and wise counsel! When it comes to the really important matters of our lives, the veneer of self-sufficiency proves to be quite thin and fragile.

When we think about our creaturely limitations, nothing is more natural than to reach out to the almighty and compassionate God in prayer. The key, then, is how keenly we are aware of our need for God. We know how “natural” our prayer is when we are faced with overwhelming challenges and desperate needs and we have nowhere else to turn to. We also know how “difficult” it is to pray when life seems to be going well. But deep inside, we know that there is something wrong with coming and praying to God only when we have apparent and desperate needs. How can we have a more consistent prayer time?

For that, we must change our perspective of God. We should not view Him as a divine Vending Machine to come to in order to get what we need when we need it but as our heavenly Father to have a relationship with. When Jesus taught us to pray, He taught us to address God as “Our Father in heaven,” teaching us what God has become to us through His redeeming sacrifice. Coming to our fathers to ask for His help is part of our relationship with God. (As a father, I’m glad when my children come to me for help rather than going to someone else [most of the time]). But that is only a part of the father-son relationship, not the entirety of it, wouldn’t you say? If we approach prayer as having and building a relationship with God, rather than as having a business transaction, we won’t pray only when we have problems and needs. Even when “our cup overflows,” we will come and sit at His feet and linger there simply because we want to be with Him. I hope you will make your needs known to your heavenly Father because He delights to have you come to Him for help. But even if you don’t have any urgent need to ask of God, I hope you will sit still in His presence and look upon Him with love and thankfulness.