Astonishing prayer
Deuteronomy 4:7
7 For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him?
When Israel was about to go into the land God had promised them, Moses told them what the people in that land would say about them. It wasn’t “What a large nation they are.” It wasn’t “What a mighty and powerful nation they are.” He said they would exclaim “what great nation has a god as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we call on him?”
It’s truly astonishing that the God who created everything would be near to me whenever I call on him. Think about that for a moment.
3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?
5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God
and crowned them with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:3-5)
Though I’m nothing in comparison to God, who created and cares for all the heavens and the whole enormity of the universe, he is close to me when I call on him. He not only hears when I call to him, he acts in response to my prayers. He invites me to be part of the astonishing, world-shaping things that he’s doing. God wants to hear my prayers. That’s almost beyond belief.
17 The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
18 The Lord is close to all who call on him,
yes, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them. (Psalm 145:17-19)
So, why am I sometimes reluctant to pray? How am I distracted by little things when the creator of everything is near, listening to me? How could I think my prayers are insignificant when the creator of everything responds to my prayers?
8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. (James 4:8a)
Oh Lord, I sit in awe of who you are, of the astonishing things you are doing in my world. I love that you are close to me now. I’m moved to tears that you are listening for my call, that you ask me to talk with you as a small child with my father who loves me so much. I’m humbled that you invite me to bring my prayers as part of those wonderful things you’re doing today. May I never take that for granted again.
Written by David Cornell
Go a bit deeper with this brilliant reflection on prayer by Timothy Keller.