Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32
God’s disposition towards us is one of love and desire. Jesus echoes a sentiment from the Old Testament when He describes the desire of His Father in Matthew 23, “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing”. There are many reasons why our prayer lives, whether individually or corporately, may grow cold, but God not having a desire for us will never be one of them. It pleases God to give us the Kingdom, there is joy in His heart to provide that which is most valuable to His people who have been redeemed by His grace. Joy and pleasure are not abstract emotions designed for humans only, they are a reflection of how our Father thinks about the Church.
This is bound to impact how we pray. As we approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), we are met with the God whose love surpasses understanding, whose mercy is greater than we’ll ever truly comprehend, whose power is unequalled, whose promises are Yes and Amen in Jesus. He will not fail to reveal Himself to a people who are seeking Him wholeheartedly in prayer. We will not miss His blessing because we were too focused on communion with Him. Whilst it may be difficult at times to feel His presence or discern His guidance through the fog of circumstances, prayer will never be wasted time, and we are assured that there is no condemnation in Christ – we have been given permission to approach Him at all times and we have the word of Jesus Himself, that just as His Father loved Him, so He loves us.
Why not take some time to be still with God today? As you focus on His presence and set your mind on things above, know that through what He has done for us, we are completely reconciled. You are not alone, you are loved more than you can imagine; as far as the east is from the west, that is how far He has removed your sins from you. As we let the truth of the Gospel descend freshly into our lives, prayer is a thing of true beauty – communing intimately with a God who is pleased to give us the Kingdom.
May we see it coming in greater measure as we seek Him together.
Thank you, Jesus.