Too often, I will say, our prayers are deprived of the effectiveness they deserve simply because we do not know the Lord that well. We are unsure of what to expect when we approach Him for help. We lack the confidence that we will be heard.
Paul wrote that we should come boldly before the throne of grace so that we can obtain mercy and find grace in the hour or time of need. I picture a child in my mind going to the fridge to have a bottle of orange squash. Her hands are already on the door of the fridge, opening it when asking the Mom’s permission to have it. She has confidence that she can have it.
I believe the real problem with many of us is that, we do not take the care to familiarise ourselves with the Source of our help and blessings. We step back, often deliberately, because we do not wish to commit to Him completely. We come as takers only. We come only when we want to take. The child that had so much confidence in the mother’s goodness and goodwill probably just flung herself into her mother’s warm embrace moments before. With many among us however, we choose our place in the court of the gentiles, which is essentially the court of the strangers. No child of the house lags shyly at the lounge of the visitors like someone on a casual visit. The children of the house roam the entire house at will, including the most exclusive of spaces.
The absence of intimacy with the Lord results in undue harsh consequences from life and the devil. Some approach Him with the mind that He is like the gods of the Amorites whose attention is only bought by self-immolation. You literally have to cut yourself with knives or set yourself or someone dearest to you ablaze before you can be heard and “helped”. You remember the scene on Mount Carmel where the worshippers of Baal used lancets on themselves! That is an example of what it takes to take from the evil one, but not our Father.
You certainly do not need an Intermediary. You don’t have to climb hills or traverse rivers to receive what the loving, heavenly parent has, in any case, already reserved for you. But you definnately need to roll with senior brothers and sisters. Those who have enjoyed a longer history of dealings with your mutual Parent. They have more to share about both His goodness and severity.
Naaman the Syrian general, was not accustomed to a God who gives and receives nothing in return, beyond acknowledgement and thanksgiving! He just couldn’t wrap his head around it. They did not do things that way where he came from.
Some took their ungodly desires to God expecting Him to rubber stamp them! That also is an outcome of not knowing Him. Those are the self-possessed, strange children who have no interest in doing what the Father wants.
The leper who approached Jesus in our passage of study knew something for sure, that Jesus could heal him. What he couldn’t bet on was whether He would be willing to do so! But our God is more than willing to help.
We must come to Him today with the desire to close our knowledge gaps. He must also close the relationship gap. Those who come with their minds fully surrendered will do this very gladly.