Lesson 17: A Humanitarian by Giving Us Prayer

Go Deeper

Study Guide Pages 131-138

Read and study the following quotes from “A Humanitarian by Giving Us Prayer,” chapter 17 of God—The Ultimate Humanitarian.

In prayer, we have direct access to the king of the universe himself! Think of how honored we would be if the president of the United States gave us the number to his private line. I doubt if any of us could imagine this ever happening. Let’s not even aim that high. We are often thrilled to get the direct line to anybody in authority: whether it is the CEO of a company or the mayor of a town. In prayer we have direct access to the king of the universe himself!

And we have unlimited access. We don’t have to work through a maze of automated menu choices. We don’t have to speak commands to a computer which misinterprets everything we say. We don’t have to explain our problem over and over to a series of assistants. We never hear a busy signal. We are never put on hold. Each and every prayer is heard and answered by God himself! This truly is mind-boggling.

If we were talking about a business, we would be raving about its fantastic customer service. This, however, is about so much more. This is about the all-powerful, all-majestic king of the universe granting us the opportunity to talk with him at any time. Not only does he give us the opportunity, he encourages us to make good use of it. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

God is not reluctant to listen to us. Instead he urges us to bring everything to him in prayer. And he promises to answer all our prayers. “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me” (Psalm 50:15). “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). Obviously he doesn’t answer every prayer with a yes. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t answered the prayer. He lovingly and patiently listens to each and every prayer. Then he answers, according to his perfect wisdom and motivated by his perfect love. His answer is perfect! (God—The Ultimate Humanitarian, 119-120)

God—The Ultimate Humanitarian, 119-120

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I need to emphasize one more time how incredible this is. We don’t have to make an appointment with God far in advance. We don’t have to make sure we word our prayers exactly right. We don’t have to limit ourselves to significant topics. Rather, as God’s children, we can run into his throne room at any time and ask him anything. “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’ (Romans 8:15).

God—The Ultimate Humanitarian, 122

More Questions to Consider

  1. Which aspect of prayer described above is the most mind-boggling to you? Which type of “access” is the most comforting?
  2. Prayer is one of the most under-appreciated and under-utilized gifts from God. Why do you think this is the case? Why are we hesitant at times to bring our requests to God?
  3. Compare/contrast: When it comes to prayer, what matters, and what doesn’t when it comes to who we are and what we do?

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