Indeed, every heart desires to reach out to God. As St. Augustine beautifully puts it, "Our hearts are made for thee my God, and they are restless, until they rest in thee." Just as a child would reach out to his parents to fulfill his needs and desires, to seek love and affection, to find protection and dispel his childess doubts and fears, so we, in an analogical way, we could consider our temporal experience of the methaphysical/divine relationship, as children of God. Unfortunately, for many the tangible experience of their parents does not mesh with the image of God as our Loving Father, and this explains the number of atheists, skeptics and agnostics.
God is just a prayer away, and He always whispers his love, care and concern. He is closer to us than out parents are. It takes faith to realize the beautiful relationship we share with God, who is the source of life and all that we have. It is a pity that many continue to be oblivious to this profound truth, and persistently deny God's existence. Yet, God does not condemn or punish, but makes the sun shine on both good and evil, just as He makes the rain fall on good and bad alike. We can never fathom the depths of God's love and mercy, but these depths are invitation for all of us to partake of this great mystery. God is just a prayer away.
Abraham pleads with God in prayer for the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, which are about to be destroyed. Abraham displays the beautiful relationship he shared with God in prayer. It's a child-like relationship. Abraham said: "I trust my Lord will not be angry if I speak once more: perhaps there will be only ten." It is delightful to behold that we can reach out to God in prayer as his loving children. Be assured, God does not turn anyone away without blessing him/her with His divine gifts. "I will not destroy it, He replied, for the sake of the ten." The prayer of Abraham should inspire us to be confident that we can come closer to God, our Creator.
Disciples of Jesus were fascinated with Him, while observing the profound relationship, which He enjoyed with His Heavenly Father in prayer. Jesus spent hours together with his Heavenly Father in prayer, which is refreshing sight for all to behold and be delightful. Consequently, His disciples pleaded with Jesus to teach them how to pray, and in response Jesus taught them to pray the Lord's prayer, the "Our Father." Indeed, Jesus taught us to have a filial relationship with God in prayer. Hence, like little children, we need to learn to pour our heart, mind and soul in faith before God, who is just a prayer away. We don't have to climb mountains, and cross valleys and oceans to reach out to God. In fact, God reaches out to us. He is just a prayer away. Humbly and sincerely in faith let us say, "Lord teach us to pray."
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