Today is the National Day of Prayer – a day designated by our country’s leaders to encourage people to turn to God in prayer. Proclaimed by President Harry S. Truman on July 4, 1952, he and other Presidents after him knew the importance of prayer. Even the disciples knew its importance as they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. His lesson on prayer is found in Matthew.

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

The Word of God is filled with verses encouraging us to talk with our Father, which is one of the beautiful aspects of knowing Jesus. We have direct access to the Father. He will always hear our prayer.

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)

When we seek Him, we will find Him. God is always there listening to the words of His children. I love the picture portrayed in this quote, because I often find myself coming to God in this way.

“Prayer is…the secret place where we find God waiting for us. The door we enter to discover God’s heart of unending grace. The home we have always wanted, where we can crawl into our Father’s lap and find our purpose.” ~ Dr. Derwin L. Gray

If you are like me, you may have times when you feel so lost and alone. You have decisions to make or cannot understand life, and you just want to crawl into God’s lap and lay your burdens down. This is such a desire of His heart. He wants us to rely completely on Him and lay our burdens on His shoulders.

“Do not be anxious about anything, 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

As we lay our burdens down at His feet spending time with Him in prayer, we will find peace surrounding our hearts and minds. Maybe the situation does not change, but as God holds us close to Him, as we share our hearts with Him, His Will becomes ours. All is left in our Father’s hands.

Have you had a difficulty you have faced and prayed for over and over again? Maybe it has been months or years you have taken the same request before the Lord. You tire of repeating the words or you get to a place where your faith starts to dwindle, and you just do not know what to say. God has given us this assurance from His Word that even then, He hears us.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

Though your thoughts become jumbled, and you are at a loss, the Spirit knows the needs of your heart. He takes your needs to the Father and continues to work on your behalf.

Prayer is so important that we are encouraged to always pray!

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

So, as you come before the Father, not only on this designated day but every day, know that He hears your prayers and your praises. Come before Him knowing as you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. His thoughts and ways become yours, and His Will, which is His best for you, will be done.

It’s time to pray.