All power comes from God and is available to men by request. All prayer requests come through Jesus and are sifted by their motives and intentions. Requests from a pure heart are granted immediately. That's why children's prayers are granted so swiftly. They have not learned deceit and what they say is honest. They walk with transparency before God. They admit their true feelings (good or bad) and ask for help when they need it. We should do the same. The Word of God tells us we must become like little children if we want to see the Kingdom of Heaven.

"At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom." (Matthew 18:1-4, The Message)

In our society, people with high rank usually receive special treatment and prompt attention to their needs. The Word of God says that in the Kingdom of Heaven, people with simple, child-like faith have high rank.

It is not necessary to have high social status among people or be especially eloquent to receive an immediate response to your prayers. You don't need to repeat the same thing over and over to get an answer. Nor do you have to work yourself into an emotional state and produce tears to move God's hand. Don't get me wrong; it's okay if you cry. But, crying is not required to make God hear your prayers.

God is drawn to simple sincere prayers from humble believers with faith in Him. Being humble doesn't mean that you're a no good worm not worthy enough to have anything. Being humble simply means you give God and His Word the highest place in your life and you are ready and willing to submit to His way of doing things. You trust God enough to know that when you ask, He will respond, whether you "feel" anything or not.

Do you realize that when you pray God already knows what you want to pray about and has been expecting you? It's just like a person who has invited someone for dinner at 6 o'clock. They have everything prepared and when it starts getting close to the appointed time, they begin looking out of the window for their guest to arrive. As the friend begins to walk to the door, the host opens the door before they even knock and rushes them in. When you receive Christ as your Lord and Savior, God invites you to pray and expects you to pray. God wants to rush you into His presence and help you. So, be bold and confident when you come to God with your requests.

"Now that we know what we have--Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God--let's not let it slip through our fingers. We don't have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He's been through weakness and testing, experienced it all--all but the sin. So let's walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." (Hebrews 4:15-17, The Message)

Today's Life Key: Pray with simplicity, sincerity and faith.

About the Author: Valerie Morrow was born-again at the tender age of 5, but has been chasing Jesus and the will of God seriously for about 10 years. As a busy (we prefer the word productive) wife, mother, entrepreneur, leader, ministry student and writer, she focuses on being well-balanced, as a necessity in life. Valerie has been a waitress, a secretary, a receptionist, a marketing assistant, an account coordinator, an account manager, a marketing director, a business owner and the "candy lady." She has learned the meaning of being secure in Christ regardless of your position or function in life and loves to share her insights through devotionals, bible studies and "self- improvement" articles from a Biblical perspective. Valerie is the wife of Henry Morrow and the mother of Henry and Charli Kathryn. She is an active member of Without Walls International Church under the leadership of Sr. Pastor Paula White in Tampa, Florida.