The Privilege of Prayer

"Prayer is ….a most precious privilege, one of the richest blessings conferred on man. It opens a method of fellowship and communion with our Father in heaven; it furnishes a refuge for the soul oppressed with sin and sorrow; it affords an opportunity to the heart overwhelmed with an intolerable weight of misery to unburden itself, to pour its griefs into the ear of one who can pity and help." –Archibald Alexander, Princeton theologian

 Prayer is a privilege and it should be treated as such. For the Christian, it is to be an instinct, and not a last resort. It should be our first string offense and not our fourth string defense. Often we neglect the wonderful gift of prayer. 

 "What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! 

 What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!

 O what peace we often forfeit,

 O what needless pain we bear, 

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer."

 Such was the case in Psalm 107, “They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; Their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:4-6 “ 

"There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, Prisoners in misery and chains, Because they had rebelled against the words of God And spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; They stumbled and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:10-13 

“ Fools, because of their rebellious way, And because of their iniquities, were afflicted. Their soul abhorred all kinds of food, And they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:17-19

 “ Those who go down to the sea in ships, Who do business on great waters; They have seen the works of the LORD, And His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, Which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; Their soul melted away in their misery. They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, And were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:23-28

 As the children of God, we have been granted an incredible gift. We have been given access to the throne room of God. We do not need a mediator, we do not have to be put on a waiting list, and we do not have to be a special dignitary or possess special credentials. The Bible clearly says, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

 A man arrogantly entered a room boasting that he had just spoken with the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and several world leaders via a conference call. To which another simple minded man said, so what, today I talked with God!................. Now top that. 

 What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! 

 What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!