Neville Turley

"He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death — his death on the cross.  For this reason God raised him to the highest place above

and gave him the name that is greater than any other name."  Philippians 2:8-9

Communication is vital in any relationship. Failure to communicate frankly and honestly, is the death knell of many a relationship. Our Lord wants to communicate with us, and he wants us to communicate with him.

We do so when we pray, for through prayer we experience the love God has for us and glorify his name when we seek to be obedient to his will.

Prayer is intensely personal, a meeting of Almighty God with our own weak vulnerable selves.  God is so great, and we are so unworthy. It is hard to understand why the Creator of the universe would desire any truck with us. Yet, wonder upon wonder, God does. 

We are his handiwork and he loves us beyond measure. Just as a parent never stops loving a wayward child. God did not write us off even though our sins estranged us from him. 

He sent his Son to take on his shoulders the sins of those who truly repent of their wrong doings. To them he gave the right to become his children and to call him, Abba, Father.

In Revelation 5 John records a vision of God the Father sitting on his throne. He is holding in his right hand a scroll with seven seals. No one in heaven or earth is deemed worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. John was so upset at the thought that he cried bitterly. Then one of the elders said to John “Don't cry. Look! The Lion from Judah's tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll.” (Revelation 5:5)

Then in front of the heavenly entourage Jesus walks up to the throne and receives the scroll from God the Father. As Jesus took the scroll the angels sang a song acknowledging Jesus as Lord."...You are worthy to take the scroll and to break open its seals.  For you were killed, and by your sacrificial death you bought for God people from every tribe, language, nation, and race."  (Revelation 5:9)

The key to effective prayer is to pray to God the Father through Jesus our Lord.  He is our hope, our all.

Prayer: Heavenly Father may the Holy Spirit open our minds so that we may realise anew the hope to which we have been called, through Jesus our Lord. Amen