Kneel Down, Be Humble
Prayer is one of God’s gifts of communication between heaven and earth. Coming to God in prayer is not only our response to His invitation, but it is also an act of humility. When we pause to pray, we acknowledge our personal weaknesses and limitations. It is like taking your vehicle to the auto repair shop. By virtue of your showing up, you acknowledge that you do not know how to fix your car. So, you entrust it to those who have the skills and tools to do so. You take the car to someone who is not bound by the same limitations as you and who possesses resources that you do not have.
When we connect with God through prayer, we acknowledge that He is all-knowing, but we are not. He is all-wise, but we are not. He is all-powerful, but we are not. He is ever-present, but we are not. Perhaps this is why Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run in and are safe.” There is security in the protective covering of prayer.
As we pause to pray in humility, we position ourselves to receive an updated picture of God. If God were your friend on social media, what would His profile picture look like? If God’s cellphone number were in your contact list, what would His contact icon look like? If God wrote a weekly blog, what would His welcome screen picture look like? Although God does not operate one of these platforms, He has presented a picture of Himself in His Word, the Holy Scriptures. In fact, there are several pictures of God in the Bible. One of my favorites is that of God as Father.
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.”
Psalm 103:13-14
"This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…’”
Matthew 6:9
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6
“No, the Father Himself loves you because you have loved Me
and have believed that I came from God.”
John 16:27
Life can blind us to God’s true character. But, it is in the private moments of personal prayer that our picture of God is updated. We are reminded that our Heavenly Father is a God of love who is abounding in mercy, quick to forgive, slow to anger, and rich in compassionate grace. We may come to Him unsure of His care, wondering like the disciples on a storm-tossed sea, “Master, don’t you care if we perish?” (Mark 4:38). But, as we communicate with Him, we receive refreshed views of His devotion to us and His love for us. My friend, kneel down, be humble, and keep praying!
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will
forgive their sin and will heal their land."
2 Chronicles 7:14