Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (Ps 61:1-2)
"From the end of the earth...". Wow! That means that no matter where we are, no matter where we go, our God is there! He is right beside us. He is as close as our own thoughts.
Jesus told us that the Father knows our needs before we ask. He also told us to ask in His name only. Do we ask only in His name? Do we petition our intercessor or do we go through a rigorous and futile routine of praying "outside" of His command to us? You could argue that if God hears and knows everything, then He would, regardless of who we pray to, respond to our prayer. Only part of that statement would be true. Yes, God knows and hears everything.
We all operate under the rule of the "chain of command" in this world. Our jobs, our family, our business dealings...we all must speak to the person above us in any situation. We cannot go "straight to the top" when we have issues. From your physician's office to the President's office - you don't get to speak to the one in charge on the first shot. I don't know very many doctors who answer their own phone, and I know that Mr. Obama doesn't answer his.
There is a chain of command for prayer. It does not include saints or martyrs, apostles, disciples or dead loved ones...the chain of command is Jesus. He is our link. He is our intercessor. He's experienced every single temptation that we have. He's experienced the pain of loss. He's endured physical pain far beyond anything we can fathom. He offers us comfort in those times and is our strength, our rock, our shelter! He IS our strong tower!
Lift up your voice to the King of Kings! Offer Him your praises and prayers. He is all you need! Allow Him to speak for you, because in the end, He is all you will have to acknowledge you.
