by Dr. Paul Chappell

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"

Hebrews 10:19-23

God isn't simply the God of the Universe, but He's also your Heavenly Father if you're saved.

Lancelot Andrews, royal chaplain to Queen Elizabeth I and King James I, was a key contributor to translating the King James Version of the Bible, especially seen in the Pentateuch. Recorded is one of his prayers to God, seeking protection, guidance, and help:

"Lord,
Be Thou within me, to strengthen me;
Without me, to keep me;
Above me, to protect me;
Beneath me, to uphold me;
Before me, to direct me;
Behind me, to keep me from straying;
Round about me, to defend me.
Blessed be Thou, O Lord, our Father,
for ever and ever."

Sadly, many believers today have forgotten the power of prayer. Some churches place a high value on certain aspects of Christianity but fail to make prayer a priority. Many of those same churches are having to close their doors. A report two years ago stated that nearly four thousand churches in America closed down. Some are now office complexes and others have been bulldozed and the land reused.

Prayer is such an important part of the Christian life that we would be foolish to not make it a priority. Martin Luther once said, "If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith." John Bunyan also said, "He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find him the rest of the day." The Apostle Paul placed a priority on prayer by telling the church at Thessalonica, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Since prayer is so important, how should we enter prayer? Consider Hebrews 10:19, "Having therefore, brethern, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus." We are children of God, heirs to the throne of God, forgiven of our sins. Jesus died specifically for our sins. For that reason alone we should know our position in God is as children. We should boldly approach His throne as His dear children. As Psalm 103:13 says, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him."

Hebrews 4:14-16 states our position in God this way, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have no an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

God has invited you to commune with Him. Yes, He is the Ruler of the universe, the Creator of the world, but He is also your Heavenly Father. He wants to talk to you. If you haven't yet today, seek God through prayer. Boldly approach Him as your Father. Lay your requests before Him, seek His help, and abide in His presence.

To learn more about the ministries of Lancaster Baptist Church and Pastor Chappell, please visit lancasterbaptist.org, paulchappell.com, or follow him on twitter.

Daily Bible Reading
Job 1-2 | Acts 7:22-43