Welcome to Faith in Writing’s new feature, Musical Wednesdays. Each Wednesday we will host an author who will discuss something relating to traditional Christian hymns and other musical topics.

I’m looking forward to hosting new authors each week. Some of our upcoming guest bloggers include: Janell Butler Wojtowicz, Catherine Castle, Jenna Victoria, and Amber Schamel. They will be discussing some of our favorite hymns. I can hardly wait to see their posts. 

Today, I will start off the feature with a post of my own.

The subject of prayer comes up often. We sing songs about it, including the one I’ve posted below, an absolutely beautiful rendition of a meaningful song.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Can you just imagine the Saviour standing at a gate to the garden and opening it up to you? That’s what He does every time you come to Him in prayer. He opens the gate and allows you to enter in.

Matthew 27:51
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

The veil was rent in twain when Jesus said “It is Finished.” We are now able to come directly before the throne of God.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Do we understand the privilege we have been given? The Jews, God’s chosen people, did not have that benefit. They had to go through priests. The only mediator between us and God is Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

We often take this for granted. We don’t realize the great significance. What does it mean to be able to bring all your burdens and cares to the Lord? It means that we can obtain a freedom that is only available through Christ. We can be free from the burden of our sin. Our pain and heartache, our troubles, all of our regrets can be cast onto Him and He will gladly bear them for us. He’s already paid the price. All we have to do is accept it.

We can enter into the beautiful garden of prayer and pour our hearts out to Him. Ask Him to forgive us our sins and set us free. We can accept the blood of Jesus as payment for our transgressions. Prayer is no more a requirement for our salvation than any other work, but it is a means for us to discuss our feelings with God, it is a means for us to make confession of our belief. We need only believe, but who would ever reject the gift of prayer? Maybe the same people who reject the gift of salvation? It seems so simple, yet many will continually reject Him. Even the so-called religious, often want to “earn” their salvation. They work to get to heaven, not realizing that a gift cannot be purchased by the recipient. If it is it is no longer a gift.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Romans 11:6
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

I am grateful for the ability to come to God in prayer. Prayer is the vehicle by which we can make our gratitude and our requests known to God. He already sees our needs before we ask, but He wants us to fellowship with Him. He wants us to seek Him out. He wants us. Just think about that for a minute. He wants us!

Share your thoughts on the privilege of prayer below.

(All verse references are taken from the Authorized Version of the Bible, commonly referred to as the King James Version.)

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