“The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” (Psalms 145:18) I believe that the best way for us to CALL UPON GOD IN TRUTH is to engage ourselves in Scripture. Here we research the actions of God that demonstrate His nature. Here we read what God says about Himself. Here we can find GOD’S WILL for our behavior. The more we allow the written Word of God to SATURATE OUR MINDS AND HEARTS, the more we will be able to pray IN LIGHT OF GOD’S TRUE NATURE and TRUE WILL. When we pray in this way, not only will we find that our prayers are answered positively, but also, we will sense the presence of God IN OUR LIVES. He will be “close” to us as we meditate upon HIS TRUTH, growing into a DEEPER RELATIONSHIP with Him.
“EVERY DAY I will BLESS YOU and PRAISE YOUR NAME FOREVER AND EVER. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall COMMEND your works to another and shall DECLARE your mighty acts.” (Psalms 145:2-4) The more we search out your greatness, the more we discover that it endlessly goes on and on! “…the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is SEEKING SUCH PEOPLE to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)
“The LORD is GRACIOUS and MERCIFUL, SLOW to anger and ABOUNDING in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made. ALL YOUR WORKS shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and ALL YOUR SAINTS shall bless you! They shall speak of the GLORY of your kingdom and tell of your POWER, to make known to the children of man your MIGHTY DEEDS, and THE GLORIOUS SPLENDOR OF YOUR KINGDOM.” (Psalms 145:8-12)
Help us, gracious God, to pray in this way. It is so easy for us to lay before you what we want for ourselves, to pray in light of OUR OWN SELFISH NEEDS and DESIRES. Yet we want our prayers to reflect YOUR nature and YOUR will. So, TEACH us, CORRECT us, GUIDE us, and INSPIRE us, so that we might call upon you in truth. All praise be to you, O God, for your strength and grace, for your majesty and holiness, and FOR OUR CLOSENESS TO YOU. Amen.
-Bill Stockham