Past the Moon

Read: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.                                                                                             1 Timothy 2:8 

   When Neil Armstrong stepped off of Apollo 11 onto the surface of the moon on July 21, 1969, he became the first human to accomplish such a feat. The space race with Russia had been occurring for some time, and this marked a victory for the United States. Though John F. Kennedy had been assassinated before he could watch this momentous occasion, it was he who had proposed, before Congress, the national goal to land a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s. Almost as amazing as the moon landing itself was the fact that a world-wide audience was able to watch the events unfold on live television. Neil Armstrong’s communication back to earth as he stepped onto the moon’s surface has become the remark that remains associated with all of space flight. He described the landing as “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”

     As amazing as it is to think that science had come such a long way that we were able to communicate at such extreme distances, we have a Heavenly Father with Whom we can communicate in a much more significant way. Far past the moon, the galaxies, and the universe is a land called Heaven, where God resides. There are no vast networks of satellites, no high-tech equipment, and no expensive radios needed to communicate with Heaven. Getting the attention of God is just a whisper away. In fact, He even knows our thoughts. He knows what we are planning to tell Him before we even think or utter those thoughts. That is amazing!

     What is interesting is how enamored we become with new communication technology. Sure, it is interesting; but how, then, can we have a lackadaisical attitude toward the fact that we can have one-on-one communication with the King of the entire universe – and He is billions of miles away? Why do we not see prayer as an incredible line of communication? While many would admit that it is nothing short of miraculous to be able to speak with God in this way, few are willing to spend time on their knees talking to God. Most people would relish the opportunity to speak on the radio with an astronaut in space; yet, God is only a prayer away, and we should take full advantage of the opportunity to pray. How is your prayer life? Do you treat prayer as the fascinating line of communication with God that it really is? Let’s put to full use this special privilege, starting today.

Quote of the day: “A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to come unraveled.”