If any of us ever received the opportunity to sit down with our favorite past or present, living President of the United States, it would be an event that we never would forget. Yet even if we received such a special opportunity, there is very little chance that man of power would receive any request or advice that we offered without simply laughing at us. Men of power have powerful advisors who likely have considered all the possibilities. That being said, we would brag to our friends and family of the meeting.
How much more amazing it is that we are invited into the throne room of God, not just for a once-in-a-lifetime meeting, but any time we desire to go there! Even more amazing than that is the fact that when we go there, God actually listens to us! Before the death of Jesus, one of the duties of the high priest was to enter the Holy of Holies once a year when he made atonement for the sins of himself and the people he represented. Individuals like us never could enter the dwelling place of God. When Jesus died, the temple veil was split in two, enabling each of us who follow the Lord access into His throne room. Paul explains that process to us in Hebrews:
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:19-25
As the verses above state, the veil is symbolic of the flesh of our Savior, as it also was torn upon the cross. Jesus has become our High Priest, and He has given us access to come boldly before the throne of grace. “Boldness” is the Greek word parrhesia, coming from pas meaning “all,” and rhesis meaning “speech.” This pertains to “the absence of fear in speaking boldly.” In non-biblical Greek literature, this is the same word used for “throwing up.” Though that might be a disgusting picture, it reminds us that prayer is one place we don’t need to be hiding anything. Hiding from God is ludicrous as He sees it all anyway! Prayer is one place where we need to throw it all up to God, and to give Him all the mess in our lives. In Old Testament times, the Jews prayed in the temple, today, the temple is within each of us!
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Let’s look at the verse above in a progressive manner. God is able to do whatever we ask. God is able to do all that we think. God is able to do all we ever can ask or think. He is able to do above all we ever can ask or think. He is able to do abundantly above all we ever can ask or think. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we ever can ask or think! Does this put it in better perspective?
Often, we pray as if it is a shopping list, or worse, fail to pray as we believe God’s will is accomplished without our input. Yet God desires to involve us in the process. God desires to bless us through prayer, more than we desire to be blessed. When we ask for God to accomplish something on our behalves, or for our friends and family, when He does, our faith increases. Through prayer, God reminds us that He is listening. Yet make sure that a prayer life does not replace Bible study! Prayers are when we talk to God, but Bible study is when God talks to us, and we certainly need to hear what He has to say more than He needs to hear what we have to say!
Are you utilizing the gift of prayer, one of the most important gifts the Lord has given us? It took the death of Jesus on the cross, and the rendering of His flesh, for us to have access into the Father’s throne room. Do not take that gift for granted, but use it the way God intended! Let prayer change your life!
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
Ephesians 6:18
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