Have you felt nervous about your prayers? Maybe you’ve wondered if you need to be desperate, use the right words, or pray at certain times in order to get the answer you want.
Jesus taught us to pray. He modeled prayers for His disciples, but He didn’t give a list of rules for prayer. His template, “Our Father who art in heaven…” invites a personal, anytime, anywhere kind of relationship. And this verse about God never needing sleep guarantees He’s always available and ready to listen.
It is incomprehensible to me to imagine life without sleep. As a mom I learned to crave it and even made it an idol. Even in my empty nest years I still spend many days doing my tasks while longing for nightfall and permission to go to sleep.
I have wished slumber weren’t so necessary. When I was younger, I ignored my need for physical rest, pulling a few all-nighters in college, staying up late after my kids were in bed to keep creating or reading a great book, in general trying to press my limits. But I always regretted it the next day. To be bone weary after ignoring my sleep needs wasn’t worth the extra few hours of accomplishment.
Someday the confines of this earthly body will be gone and the promise of being made in the image of Jesus, with a glorified body, will be reality. To be unencumbered by fatigue sounds wonderful!
And it might be fun, too. Remember Jesus appeared in rooms without walking in the door? And He walked on water! What freedoms might we enjoy one day when we are with Him?
For now, you and I are too confined to our earthly bodies, the tents in which we now reside.
But God. He neither slumbers nor sleeps!
What a spectacular difference between our ever-present Father and us!
So even when we are tired, and most women live tired, we may at any time, in any place, for any reason confidently approach “the throne of grace that we may receive help in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
When I awake startled from a harrowing nightmare, wake repeatedly with a sick child, or toss with the insomnia of an anxious heart, His eyes—and His heart—are wide open. Is there anyone else like Him? No lover, no ruler, no mother can even compare to His unshakeable open door policy.
Boldly—with confidence is the way God Himself tells us— approach His throne. Not cautiously, fearfully, or only during certain hours. Simply stunning is our access to our God.
Do you know Jesus? If you have surrendered your life to His safekeeping, this is the kind of relationship He wants: free, unlimited access at any time day or night. Run to Him boldly, in every hour—and give thanks that He is perpetually available to your every need.
This message was a breathe of fresh air. The Lord has been reminding me in different ways to, “Be Still in knowing…” since my husband was laid off and faced with some serious health challenges, my daughter fell into depression and left college, and we just recently told that we are in jeopardy of losing our home. I wonder around aimlessly not knowing what are the words I need to pray to fix it. Yet I’m not sure what “fix it” looks like to Jesus. But you have reminded me that He is listening and waiting to hear my cry. And because I trust Him I can have peace in knowing He will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you and may heaven continue to smile upon you all!😇☺️🙏
Your encouraging posts are such a balm to the weary soul, Barbara. Giving thanks today for your faithfulness and Godly example. May the Lord bless you always.
Hi
I was going through the past blogs, and that reminded me that Tracy Lane’s daughter Annie would have undergone her surgery.
How is she doing now?
Hi Rachel! Thanks for asking. She is doing much better and continuing to recover in PA. We are grateful for her life and the faithfulness of the Lord.
So refreshing to be reminded of who is watching over me and the open access I can freely enjoy. Thanks Barbara.
your message have sharpened my christian understanding,please keep aglow this wonderful work,God bless you all
Yesterday, I was having a very difficult time with my younger son. My older son walked into the room and declared: Mom, stop right now! God says to cry out to Him, and right now you need to do that. Your encouraging words today further confirm my great need to stop right when I have a need and cry out to my Father who always hears me. Thank you so much.