In Genesis chapter three, we read of the entrance of sin into the world. Eve was deceived by the devil to eat of the forbidden fruit. She then gave the fruit to Adam, and he ate of it as well (Genesis 3:1-6). Immediately their eyes were opened, and they knew that they were naked (ver. 7).
This marked the moment that Adam and Eve left the realm of innocence and became sinners, and they knew it. When they heard God coming, they hid from Him (ver. 8). God called out to them, “Where Are you?” (ver. 9). Of course, He really knew where they were. He was just seeking a response. However, it is the question itself that is going to be the focal point of our blog this week. “Where are you spiritually?”
We all need to ask ourselves this question occasionally. As we focus on this together for the next five nights, I hope it will motivate us to examine ourselves to know just where we are in our service to God. Let us begin with prayer.
What kind of prayer life do you have? Do you pray every day? Prayer is one of the greatest blessings that we have, and we should take advantage of it. Why would we not pray regularly? The power of prayer is such that it can change the course of our lives.
Hezekiah’s life was on the course of death (2 Kings 20:1), but he prayed to God and the course of his life changed. God added fifteen years to his life (vers. 2-6). Paul’s life was on the course of death. His impending death was not due to illness, but to persecution. He found himself in a life-threatening situation in Asia, without a way of escape (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). But brethren prayed for him, and he was delivered by God through the power of prayer (vers. 10-11).
Let us tap into this great source of power by praying to God regularly. Our lives will be changed because of it.
Hebrews 4:16 is a passage on prayer from which we should draw strength. It says, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). There are three powerful points made by the Hebrews writer in this one verse.
First, we can pray with confidence. Why? Because we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens. That high priest is Jesus, and the fact that He has passed through the heavens is significant. It tells us that following the death and resurrection of Jesus, He went back to heaven to be with the Father (Hebrews 6:19-20). What is He doing there? He is making intercession for us (Hebrews 7:24). We can pray with confidence because whenever we pray, we never go before God’s throne alone. Our Savior goes with us. And the fact that He is making intercession for us leads to the next important point that the writer of Hebrews makes,
Second, we will find mercy before God’s throne. It is not that we might find mercy. We will find mercy. Why can we be so sure about it? It is because we have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1), and He is pleading on our behalf. Do you remember what Paul wrote in Romans eight? “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). Even though we give in to temptation from time to time, we find mercy because we have the help of Jesus.
Third, through prayer we find grace to help in times of need. Do you ever need help with temptation and sin? I know I do. One source of help is prayer. Let us take advantage of this wonderful privilege and pray as often as we can.
Where are you with your prayer life. Whenever you pray, you are giving God a message of faith. You are telling Him that you trust Him enough to depend on Him and ask for His help. Prayer is a reflection on our overall spirituality. What does your prayer life say about you?
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.