“Through him [Christ] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”- Ephesians 2:18
In Chapter 5 of Prayer, Timothy Keller astutely observes that while we know God is working out all things for our good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), we usually can’t discern what that good is. Stated another way, we are not certain what outcome we should pray for. Through the Holy Spirit, our Father hears us praying for what is best for us as well as what is pleasing to Him. Pastor Keller adds:
“Prayer is the way to experience a powerful confidence that God is handling our lives well, that our bad things will turn out for good, our good things cannot be taken from us, and the best things are yet to come.”
When we pray, we are to pray in Jesus’ name- as He taught His disciples. Essentially, Pastor Keller notes, this is about qualification and access. He adds that while in graduate school, he approached a well-known speaker after a lecture. Although the speaker greeted most attendees with perfunctory pleasantness, when Timothy mentioned that they had a mutual friend, the speaker greeted him warmly.
We have total access to God the Father through Jesus. Jesus’ death on the cross reconciled us to God. We always have an audience with God, who warmly welcomes us.
Today’s question: Following your vocation loss, how difficult has it been to truly believe you have access to God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The cost of prayer”
