Praying or talking to God with knowledge.

Posted on Mon, Feb 2, 2009

Knowing God empowers you to present your requests to him and creates in you the confidence that the petitions are answered. It is this knowledge which will restrain you from disobeying his words, and enables you to resolutely trust in him even when things are contrary. When you know God, you will be persuaded of his sovereignty and control of the universe, you will be assured that God is well able to steer the affairs of your life aright

“… We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews 4:15-16

There are very many instances in the bible when people prayed. They prayed at different times for many reasons. In the Old Testament when David faced stiff opposition from King Saul, who consistently threatened his life, he prayed that God might protect him. The books of first and second Kings as well as the Psalms and many other books of the bible have accounts of how David prayed to God for many reasons. Elijah another man of God, prayed that God might show himself stronger than Baal, which its worshippers embraced as God. Hannah, the wife of Elkanah who was barren, prayed that God might give her a male child. Their prayers were all heard and answered.

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus, who is our model in all things, himself prayed and today, enjoins us all “to pray always and not to faint”. Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. It is the only means by which we can talk to God. And without communication with God no Christian can accomplish anything to God’s glory. Prayer could be as short as “Lord save me” Matthew 14:30, prayed by Peter when he feared that he was drowning. And it could be as long as the prayer of deliverance by Nehemiah recorded in Nehemiah 9.

Whatever our reasons, when we pray to God, it is our desire that our prayers be answered. Paul advised that in praying, we should approach God with confidence. But how many today has this confidence?  Assuredly, such confidence or boldness comes only from knowing God. Although many people pray, a great number are not sure if God really answers prayers. They do not know God and cannot trust God with whom they lack relationship.

Dear reader, do you have a relationship with God? Has he revealed himself to you? God can reveal himself to you today even as he did to Saul of Damascus. In his love and mercy he made Paul a great man, who previously, was his  fierce “persecutor and hater.”  He taught Moses his ways, the man who had before transgressed his command of “thou shalt not kill”.  He called, changed and made him a leader to his glory. He made Moses the meekest man that ever lived, speaking with him as “friend with friend”.

If you do not know God, he has revealed himself in his word - the bible. You can read the bible and accept him by faith. You can also know God from the testimonies that are given about him by his ministers when they preach the gospel today and you hear of instances of God’s dealings with men.  Knowing God empowers you to present your requests to him and creates in you the confidence that the petitions are answered. It is this knowledge which will restrain you from disobeying his words, and enables you to resolutely trust in him even when things are contrary. When you know God, you will be persuaded of his sovereignty and control of the universe, you will be assured that God is well able to steer the affairs of your life aright.

In the books of Nehemiah nine and Psalms seventy-four, we read of confident accounts by his children of God’s greatness and ability. He delivered those who knew him from their troubles; he sustained them in the wilderness where there were no food and water. He secured victories for them over their enemies. God is the same yesterday, today and for ever. In past years, as he granted the petitions of the biblical figures that knew him, and still hears and answers many more today from those who know him and confidently call on him, if you know God, you too, can talk to him and "shall be strong, and do exploits." If you call upon him today, you will never regret. This is a decision with eternal consequences.

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