“Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, and their prayer came into his holy dwelling place in heaven.” – 2 Chronicles 30:27

A couple of years ago I switched to a different primary care provider. Several things happened in that first appointment that had never happened to me in a doctor’s office before: First, my blood pressure was normal. Second, my doctor prayed with me after my appointment. And finally, he gave me his personal cell phone number. All three were exciting, but the last one shocked me the most. The blood pressure was a natural result of my health improving and it should not surprise me that another believer would want to pray for me, but for someone to give me direct access to them at any time is unheard of in the medical world. Doctors are just too important and too busy for that.

If that is shocking, then how infinitely more incredible is it that our prayers reach God’s heavenly dwelling place? The words we offer up go right into the very presence of God…at any moment on any given day and in every situation. Now, I am sure my doctor would probably get tired of me calling him all the time, but my Heavenly Father cannot wait for my next prayer. And this intimate conversation with God is the most powerful weapon we have in our daily struggles against the enemy. Charles Spurgeon says, “Satan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Swords and spears need to be sharpened, but prayer never rusts; and when we think it most blunt, it cuts the best. Prayer is an open door that no one can shut.” Why do we grasp at every other solution under the sun when the most powerful weapon is at our disposal 24/7? Today I want us to appreciate the incredible privilege that is prayer and then use it as the first step in fighting every one of our battles.

Heavenly Father, we could never thank You enough for opening up Your throne room to our prayers. Give us confidence that You hear and answer when we cry out to You. Let every battle first be fought on our knees.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon