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1. A Close God
Base Verse: James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Prayer is a direct channel that connects us with God, a God who is not distant but close and willing to listen. James 4:8 invites us to draw near to Him with confidence, knowing that when we do, He will also draw near to us. This verse reminds us that God longs for an intimate relationship with each of us.

God is not a distant being, nor is He indifferent to our needs and problems. When we approach Him through prayer, we experience His presence and love in a deeper way. Prayer not only transforms our circumstances but also changes our hearts, making us more sensitive to His will.

2. What Is Prayer?
1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

Luke 11:5-13
“And He said to them, ‘Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him”; and he will answer from within and say, “Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you”? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!'”

Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Romans 5:5
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Praying is much more than just saying words; it is an act of faith and communion with God. Prayer is the means by which we hand over our concerns and needs to God, trusting in His love and care (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus teaches us in Luke 11:5-13 that we must pray with persistence and confidence, knowing that our heavenly Father desires to give us the best.

Prayer also brings peace to our lives, as Philippians 4:7 reminds us. The peace that God gives cannot be explained by human words; it guards and protects our hearts in the midst of difficulties. Finally, in Romans 5:5, we see that prayer is the way we experience God’s love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Praying is essentially an expression of our total dependence on God, a way to open our hearts to receive His peace, love, and guidance.

Sincerely, Pastor Guillermo Ayala

Bible Verses:

• James 4:8
• 1 Peter 5:7
• Luke 11:5-13
• Philippians 4:7
• Romans 5:5