For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
–Hebrews 4:15-16
Ever wanted to ask your boss for a raise but you weren’t sure you deserved one? Or perhaps you have approached God feeling you didn’t deserve to receive what you were going to request from him. If so, Dr. Snyder has some words of wisdom that should help improve your confidence.
“When we pray, we should come to God with great confidence that we will receive all the mercy and grace we could possibly want. It doesn’t really matter how bad we’ve been or how thin our goodness has proved to be. God’s program of salvation isn’t based on how excellent our actions or faith has been; rather it comes directly out of the merciful character of our God.
God grants us grace and brings us our provisions simply because he likes to. We can ask him for anything, anything at all. He will answer and provide according to his plan for us, and he won’t allow anything we ask for to get in the way of his best for us. If his answer is a no, then it’s a no for our good, and if it’s a yes, it’s for our good too. We leave it up to our God to sort out the requests and do what is best. But God does expect us to ask and is pleased when we do. If we didn’t ask for specific things, how would we ever know that he answers our prayers?”
TODAY’S PRAYER: Banish from your mind the idea that God is so far away and so wrapped up in his celestial glory that he doesn’t understand what it’s like for you to live your life. Then thank him that you are permitted (commanded) to ask for what you want and need with boldness and reckless abandon.
Photo via Flickr
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