Because You Are God’s Beloved Child

Scripture makes it clear that the answer to everything in our lives is prayer mixed with faith. The apostle Paul writes, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God” (Philippians 4:6). Paul is telling us, “Seek the Lord about every area of your life and thank him ahead of time for hearing you.”

Paul’s emphasis is clear: Always pray first — not as a last resort. Jesus tells us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33).

Why is it so hard for Christians to seek God for their desperate needs? After all, the Bible stands as one long testimony that God hears the cries of his children and answers them with tender love.

• “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34:15).
• “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (verse 17).
• “The prayer of the upright is His delight” (Proverbs 15:8).

The Bible gives us many promises when it comes to prayer, but it also gives us warnings about the danger of neglecting prayer: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Hebrews 2:3). The Greek word for “neglect” here means “of little concern; to take lightly.”

How can God’s own people claim to love him and believe in his promises, yet never draw near to his heart?

The writer of Hebrews calls us to “draw near to God in full assurance” (see Hebrews 10:22). God’s door is always open to his children and, make no mistake, he is utterly faithful. Go to your secret closet regularly and seek him with all your heart. Your answers may not come overnight, yet God will do his work in his time and in his way — because you are his beloved child.