The Freedom to Pray

What a gift has been given to us in the presence of the Holy Spirit within us!  We can enter into fellowship, or communion, with God Himself whenever we want, without elaborate ceremony or sacrifice.  We can receive wisdom and instruction and direction in all things---eternal and temporal---as we wish.  We can be helped in prayer, in understanding, in right action, in truth, in the very peace of God at all times.  No longer does our relationship with God depend on our own efforts, but only on His desire to bring us into all truth.  If we are but willing to listen and be directed, He Himself will give us everything we need for life and holiness.

Many years ago, I was teaching a young Muslim girl who challenged me on my religion and beliefs.  I tried explaining as well as I could, but she had trouble comprehending my thoughts.  Finally, I said, "Well, we won't agree on this, but we can agree that we both have one Father in heaven, the same God, the God of Abraham, our father in faith.  Why don't we pray together to that God?" 

She hesitated a moment and then said, "Yes, but first we must bathe all over so as to be clean in approaching God.  Then we must put a rug on the floor so as not to be in contact with the contaminated earth.  Then we can pray."

My excitement was uncontainable as her words made an impact on my consciousness.  For the first time, I fully realized the Gift of God---the presence of the Spirit of Jesus within us!  We no longer had to perform elaborate rituals to please God or to get His attention!  We could turn at any time to our Father (Abba), whether we were dirty or clean, crawl up into His lap, and talk to Him, knowing that we are welcome despite our "dirt" and imperfections. 

Dina's beliefs made me know and appreciate the freedom we have in Christ Jesus as children of the Father.  No longer do we come by the offered blood of sheep and goats, but by the shed blood of Jesus.  The Father, seeing His dying Son, and hearing His words, "Father, forgive them...." cannot help but accept us as His own flesh and blood.