In the 1930s, famed physicist Albert Einstein fled the impending war in Europe and the Nazis and came to America, purchasing a home near Princeton University. While residing there, he frequently was visited by famed politicians and mathematicians. And a 10-year-old girl named Emmy.
It seems she had heard he was something of a math wiz and she was struggling with fifth-grade arithmetic. So she sought his help. The physicist, renowned for writing on the most complex mathematical topics, patiently explained to Emmy the answers to her questions in terms she easily understood. And then he invited her to return — which she frequently did.
A few weeks later, a neighbor mentioned to Emmy’s mother that Emmy had been seen going to Einstein’s home with some frequency. The mother reproved her daughter — “Professor Einstein is a very important man! His time is very valuable! He can’t be bothered with the problems of a little schoolgirl.”
And then she went to Einstein’s home to make apology for her daughter’s intrusions, only to be told by the scholar, “Bothering me! Ach, no! Why, when a child finds such joy in learning, then it is my joy to help her learn! Please don’t stop Emmy from coming to me with her school problems. She is welcome in this house anytime.”
She is welcome to come.
Such is also the condition of the believer. The believer is welcome to enter the most sacred place in the universe — a place where he would have no right or ability to enter without invitation. But he is invited. The God of all invites the believer to come to Him for fellowship and for petitioning God for all his needs.
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Commenting on that verse, Thomas Watson writes,
“We have a friend at court that speaks a good word for us, and is following our cause in heaven; let this animate and encourage us in prayer. Do we think it too much boldness for such sinners as we to come for pardon, and that we shall be denied? Surely this is a sinful modesty. Did we indeed come into our own name in prayer it were presumption, but Christ intercedes for us in the force and efficacy of his blood. To be afraid to come to God in prayer is a dishonor to Christ’s intercession.” [Body of Divinity]
We have access to God. He invites us to come. It is His delight for us to come to Him as we dependently seek His help in our lives (Prov. 15:8). He is eager to hear and answer the prayers of His people (Is. 65:24). He anticipates the prayers of His people such that we can say He loves to be “badgered” by our prayers (Is. 62:6-7). He desires and responds favorably to our persistent prayers (Luke 18:1-8). Our repeated, persistent, dependent going to Him with our needs indicates our love for and confidence in Him.
So as we begin this year with the desire, “Teach Us to Pray,” let us also begin the year confident that He delights to hear and respond to those prayers. He invites us to come to Him; we are always welcome in His presence. He is never weary of us or of hearing from us.
Einstein, public domain.
Words of Grace 