Part 4 in our The Five Types of Prayer Series

Our requests should not be for we ourselves to store up excess so that we may feel secure. Our security should not be in excess, but instead in the provisions of God. If we know that our God is with us, how can we be afraid?

A lack of joy and hope, and a presence of discouragement, plagues many of us today. It is a plague because it keeps us from God. The encouragement we find in turning to one of the main purposes of the book of Hebrews as well as finding consolation that we are not alone with the Christians who have gone before us, helps us to overcome that plague. The knowledge of this can encourage us to, like them, decide to trust God anyway, follow God anyway, and talk to God about what is on our mind. We cannot let discouragement keep us from engaging with God.

Do you hear God saying, “I am your God; open your mouth wide and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10).

Billions of people in the world today do not follow God; at least a billion more claim to follow God but do not call on God regularly if at all. God grieves our lack of supplication. He asks, “Why are you not listening to me? Why are you not focused on me? Why do you not talk to me?” Calling on God is the most important thing that we can do to grow as a believer and as a citizen of the kingdom of God. When we do not call on God, we wither and fade like a flower with no water. God grieves our lack of supplication.

What supplication do you want to bring to God? Has anything kept you from doing that? Can you bring it to God anyway, just as so many faithful have done when they are discouraged? Is it not for your gain, but for God’s gain? May you be blessed to have the confidence to bring your requests to God without shame, without regret, and with plenty of adoration for the God who has always been here for us. All Christians need these moments with God so that God’s glory is revealed in the world as well as in all of our lives. Thanks be to God!