The Privilege of Prayer

Volneybiblechurch May 24, 2024

Abraham Lincoln is one of my most favorite Presidents in the history of our great nation. Recently, I heard a story about him. It went like this:

After a little while, a young boy came up to him. “Soldier, you look unhappy. What’s the matter?” The soldier told the boy his story, and how he needed to see the president. The little boy said, “I can help you.”

The boy grabbed the soldier’s hand and led him to the front gate of the White House. They walked right through, all the way into the Oval Office, where President Lincoln sat working. “Good afternoon, Todd. Who is your friend?” he said. The boy answered, “Daddy, this soldier needs to talk to you.” The soldier stated his case, and President Lincoln released him from service on the spot.”

The Presidency of the United States is a very powerful position and no doubt many people would have given a lot for Mr. Lincoln’s time and attention. And yet his son Robert Todd Lincoln had the privilege of going to him at any time. But, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, did you know that you have an even greater privilege than the children of any President or any world leader that you can name. For you have the awesome ability to talk with the God who created and now sustains the whole universe.

And the Lord Jesus, the Only begotten Son of God, through his death, burial and resurrection, has allowed each of us, by faith, to be the adopted sons and daughters of the one true God. The apostle John tells us:

“Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1).

Further, just like Robert Todd, we can enter his throne room at any time, day or night, and speak with him. In fact, we are encouraged to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17). In other words, we should have a heart that is inclined to pray about everything, and to make it a high priority and a discipline in our lives. It is to seek God’s will in every aspect of life.

It always amazes me that our heavenly Father, who needs nothing himself and is all-sufficient, has chosen to allow me to come before him with the smallest detail of my life, as well as my biggest problem. And not only that but he desires to commune with me just because he loves me and wants the best for my life.

May we never take our God for granted by not exercising the great and marvelous privilege that we have of prayer. Rather, may we seek his guidance and power in every aspect of our lives. And, as the writer of Hebrews tells us:

““Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).

And always remember that it is not because of our own merit that we can come to him, but because of His awesome love! What a gracious heavenly Father that we serve!