Recently I took time off from work and personal obligations for a weekend away. I needed some quiet time to relax. During my stay, my three daughters called many and various times. They weren’t trying to ruin my alone time; they just love chatting and know that I’m always accessible. But at one point, my brain screamed inside, “Leave me alone!” Then the thought of them actually doing so crossed my mind, and I whispered to myself, “No, don’t.” I love when they want to come to me for guidance or just to chat. 

So does God, our heavenly parent. 

Prayer. It’s our personal relationship and chat time with God. He wants us to come to him anytime. He knows the desires and troubles of our hearts before we even ask, but he loves and wants to hear from us—whether asking for guidance or in thanksgiving. It draws us closer to him. King David had so much to say about prayer in his psalms. One of my favorites is Psalm 4:1: “Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful on me and hear my prayer.” And Psalm 145:18 reminds us, “The Lord is near to all who call on him.”

God is our ever-present help. He doesn’t take time off to relax. He’s there 24/7, 365/to eternity. He would never say, “Leave me alone!” He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).