We want God’s undivided attention. Selfish? Not at all. We need his attentiveness to our prayers because without him, we know life can become futile, and we lose purpose.
There is one who has “the ear of God”—who is listened to. It is Jesus. No one has a closer relationship with God than Jesus Christ. In fact, John 17:21 tells us that Jesus and the Father are one. They are intrinsically connected.
The way for us to get God’s undivided attention, said Jesus, was through Him.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Believing in Jesus gives us access to God. His death paid the price for our wrongdoing that separates us from God.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18
But more that that, Jesus didn’t just open a way to God that we take on our own. He holds you by the hand and brings you to God .
Following his restoration to life, Jesus entered heaven itself. And, as we join with him, we are swept up into the majestic, heavenly throne room of God.
It is here that Jesus is at God’s side in the place of honor and authority.
In this heavenly place with his Father, Jesus continues to work on our behalf.
- He presents and argues our case. 1 John 2:1 NLT says: “if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father.”
- He is our representative – intervening for us. “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:34 NLT
- He works unceasingly – ongoing and never ceasing. Hebrews 7:24-25 MSG says: “Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through Him, always on the job to speak up for them.”
It is through Jesus, who enables forgiveness of all wrongdoing, that we can be assured of God’s undivided attention.
When we come humbly, asking for forgiveness, God listens to our prayers, always.
Pray
Heavenly Father,
I long for your full attention
Every moment of my day
But particularly when
I come to you in prayer.
I want you to bend down
Lend your ear
And hear
My cries for help
My requests for guidance
My shouts of praise
My words of thanks.
Lord, I ask you to forgive me
For anything that gets in the way
Of you hearing me,
Smiling on me,
Leading me.
In the words of the Psalmist
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.
Forgive me, through your Son
Who is in your presence
Speaking up for me
Making it all possible
For you to hear me.
Through your Holy Spirit
Reassure me that
I am forgiven and that
I am heard by you.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen
Photo by Thomas Willmott on Unsplash