It was the first Sunday for the new pastor in the little country church. His sermon was short, but his prayer was rather lengthy. After the service was over, two members got together to share their opinions.

"That preacher sure can pray," said one.

"Yes he can," agreed the other. "He prayed for things that the last preacher didn't know that the Lord had."

Prayer comes in two parts: our part and God's part. It involves asking and receiving. As for asking, Jesus said that we are to ask for everything and anything, whenever or wherever. That includes all of life all the time. If it concerns us, it concerned Him first. If He sees a little bird fall from a tree, He must surely be aware of our pains and problems, our wants and needs, our hopes and those times when we have feelings of helplessness and despair.

Our part is to ask; God's part is to answer. If we do our part, He will certainly do His part.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to rely completely upon You for everything we need, trusting in You always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'

The discussion at dinner centered on the family’s move to New York. That evening as she was saying her bed time prayers with her mother, little Suzanne concluded them by saying, “Goodbye, Jesus. I guess we won't be talking anymore. We are moving to New York and I'm not sure you can hear me from there."

Our Heavenly Father is not confined to any city or church. He has no set hours or days off. We do not need an appointment and He has no secretary to screen His calls. He's always there when we need Him for anything and everything. In fact, it is almost beyond belief that we have direct and immediate access to the Creator of the universe.

When He encourages us to "call upon me" He concludes this invitation by saying that He will personally "answer us." What a gracious and generous guarantee from a loving and faithful Father. Wherever we are and whenever any need arises, He's there waiting and listening for our call.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for the promise that You listen, hear and answer when we call for help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture: Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’