Remembering God

January 1
“Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2

Prayer is both a privilege and a blessing. Just think about this for a moment. The God that created all things not only offers us the free gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, but truly desires to commune with us.
There was a time when a wall separated sinful man from his Holy God; but when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins, paying our sin debt, that barrier was dashed asunder. We read in Matthew 27:51, “And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom”. The door to heaven was opened, and that door is Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Great peace, joy, and strength are found at God’s throne. Also, we find healing for the broken heart, joy overflowing, and strength that carries us through this world and the next.
The Bible is rich on the subject of prayer. From Genesis to Revelation, we find the saints of Jehovah praying. We may conclude since the Bible speaks often of prayer, we are in much need of it. We also have God’s assurance that He hears our prayer. The Psalmist says, “O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come” (Psalm 65:2). Another example is found in the book of Jonah. We read: “And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice” (Jonah 2:2).
We invite the reader to purpose their heart and make this year a season of prayer. It could be the reader has forgotten God or has not made prayer a priority in his life. If so, kneel before God today. Confess your sins in humble prayer. Then, make your rising up and lying down filled with prayer. Pray for the lost, pray for our nation, and pray without ceasing.