"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT TALKING TO GOD"
Acts 21:5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:
1. We can talk to the Lord anywhere and at anytime.
Acts 21:5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
Luke who wrote Acts, is telling us about a short visit that he and Paul had with some friends. They had been with their friends, and now it was time to leave and go on their way. There were men, women, children in this group. And, we see that "we knelt down on the shore and prayed" What a picture to imagine in your mind. This loving group of friends, kneeling down together to talk to God. And, talk to God they did. And talk to God we can as well. How amazing that we can do this. May we do it more.
2. We can talk to the Lord standing, sitting, kneeling, or lying down.
The verse we are looking at says, "And we knelt down on the shore and prayed." Many times in the Bible we see people kneeling to pray as they talked to God. It's interesting that the Lord does not prescribe any particular physical position to be in when we talk to Him. In this case they chose to kneel. But, in other instances, we see people standing when talking to God, or sitting, or even walking.
The important and simple thing to remember, is that we can in fact talk to Him. He is not more interested to hear us if we are kneeling, or standing. He is just interested in hearing us period. Why? Because He loves us so much. That's all.
We are His children, and He absolutely loves us. He has shown us His love by sending His only Son to die for our sins. How much more could He have done to show us His love.
3. We can talk to the Lord and He hears us. That's the wonderful and amazing truth.
Paul and his companions were talking to God, and God was listening to them as they talked with Him. We do not have a record of their prayers in this instance. But, no doubt given the seriousness of the times, i.e the persecution against the church, and against Paul, their prayers must have been for God's help and God's power in Paul's life.
Some questions:
1. Do you have a desire to talk more to God than you do?
2. Do you know that God really loves you, and is very interested in anything you might have to say to Him?
3. Do you find it hard to pray?
4. Do you know you are not alone in that?
5. One thing that helps us in prayer, is to simply be ourselves, and talk to God about whatever is on our minds and hearts.
A prayer:
Father, we read about Paul and his friends praying, and here we are praying today, via emails and such. How truly wonderful You are Lord. Thank You for having ears that are open to our prayers. One of our prayers, is simply that You would help us to pray. We know that in our church body these days, there are more people who are at least being encouraged to pray, using the the prayer requests sent out day by day. Please help us to slow down for a minute or two each day as we get these prayer requests, and simply bring our hearts and our requests to You. You not only hear, but You answer prayer. Be glorified in our midst as we see You answering prayer and working in the lives of different people. In Jesus name we pray, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
