Step Aside For Prayer

     
This brief message is an invitation to step aside for prayer.  If you are troubled about something, the God who made you for Himself calls you to step aside for prayer.  He says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).  It is natural for us to say to ourselves, "I ignore God so much of the time, why should He listen to me when I am in trouble?"  Did you ever think about this: none of us prays as we ought to, so God uses our times of weakness, pain, grief, and broken-heartedness to turn our thoughts toward Himself.  It is true. This is the way God deals with us.  How kind and patient He is with us!  So go ahead and tell Him what is burdening you, He hears and takes interest in all that you say.  "The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalm 145:10).

There is another hindrance to prayer that we all face.  Not only do we wonder if God will hear my ‘911’ prayers, but we also are reminded by our conscience that we do things that displease God.  We sin and this alienates us from God.  This is right thinking. We do need to be reconciled in our relationship with God.  It's natural to think, "Shouldn't I take care of this first?"  Obviously this is true, but don't forget that God is using your difficulties to turn your heart to Him in every way. God often enters our lives in the midst of our trials.  First, He teaches us to be reconciled with Him, then He shows us He is indeed a "very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).

"Be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20), is one of the most heartfelt exhortations in the Bible.  It is so important, that we are urged and even begged to do this.  So, if this is what you want, you are on the right track.  When we think of all the ways we have sinned against God and ignored Him, it is truly amazing that God welcomes us to come and enjoy a relationship with Him.  This relationship is the most fulfilling, enriching, and heart-cheering one possible.  You and God, what a pair!  God as your Creator, Provider, Redeemer, Father, Heavenly Friend--your Master, King, and Lord.  You as His child, His servant, His worshipper, and a repentant believer who is constantly before the eye of God as one He delights in.  You might ask, how is this possible since God is also a just judge and I am guilty in His eyes and God's warnings of hell are not idle threats?  The answer is: the Lord Jesus came to earth to die in the place of sinners like us.  He completely took away the judgment due the sins of all those who turn from their sinful selfish life and entrust their soul to Him. He arose from the dead and ascended to heaven and right now welcomes us to come to Him for forgiveness and a reconciled or changed relationship with God. 

Only those who have been brought to the end of themselves--to their wits end because of the problems in their lives that point to their need of God and the need of His forgiveness--only this kind of person can appreciate the power and the reality and the truth of John 3:16.  Are you that kind of person?  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

Well, my friend, I have detained you from prayer long enough.  The invitation was to step aside for prayer.  It is an invitation from God.  So go ahead and pray. God and you can work it out.  Go ahead and pray to Him.  Open up your heart to Him. Pour out your heart to Him.  He will listen compassionately when you confess your sins to Him and ask for His forgiveness.  When you believe in the Lord Jesus and truly embrace Him as your only hope of pardon, He will say to you what He said to another, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you" (Matthew 9:2).  Go ahead and pray; deal personally with God and He will deal personally with you.  In the things that burden your heart right now, you will find Him to be a faithful Shepherd to you. He will lead you in green pastures and beside the still waters.  You will fear no evil, for He is with you.  He will anoint your head with oil and your daily cup of fellowship with Him will run over having so much of the nearness, help and presence of God.  You will say with faith and confidence: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  Psalm 23.  You will find yourself often stepping aside for prayer from here to heaven.  The tug on your heart to pray is the Lord Jesus wooing you to be part of His heavenly bride for all eternity.  God says to a person like this, others hear your voice, let me hear it (Song of Solomon 8:13). My friend, this is your time to pray.

Consider what God says in His Word:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:6-7).

"Trust in Him at all times you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8).

After listening to God speak to us in the Bible, we must talk to Him in prayer.  This is the way to get to know Him personally.