Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

I think most of us at one time or another have seen the movie The Wizard of Oz. Remember how Dorothy and her friends trembled as they first approached the large, bigger-than-life being called "The Wizard". Unfortunately, that is sometimes how we approach God. We are in such fear of Him because of who He is, Creator and Sustainer of all life, that we forget that He calls us "friend". In the above verse, God encourages man to come boldly before Him, seeking mercy and grace. The word "boldly" is a translation of a word that means "free utterance". This attitude of confidence to speak freely before God may be contrasted with those who are ashamed to be in front of Him.

Meditate On This!

What is your prayer life like? Do you begin with adoration and confession, but then also have a time of intimate speech with your loving Father? Do you understand the grace He is giving you? Do you really understand that He wants to know your intimate personal thoughts, not just some written or memorized prayer that you have heard in church? Perhaps today is the day you can cry out to God with all of your being.

Let me ask you this: how is your prayer life different in public than it is in private? You know it is the same God you are talking to.