Can you hear the Sounds?

- Intimacy with God is developed through prayer.

I remember the first time I heard the word “advocacy”. It was used in the context of a group of people who were speaking on the behalf of another. If you Google the word “advocacy”, more than 25 million entries will appear. The results may range from public policy groups, women affairs advocates, children advocacy groups, animal groups, and the list continues.

Webster’s dictionary defines “advocacy” as the act or process of advocating or supporting a cause or proposal. Therefore, it can be reasonably concluded that one of the attributes of an advocate is one who supports a cause; thereby, speaking out and representing a person or group of people who may or may not be able to defend or have the platform to do the same. Well, Jesus is the Advocate for the believer. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). 

IS THERE FRICTION?

In an auditorium or room where sound may not travel as fast, there is often times a speaker system and a microphone available for the presenter to be able to deliver a message so that the audience can hear clearly. A microphone is needed because sound needs a vehicle to help carry those sound waves. Have you ever watched lightning during a thunderstorm, and noticed that often times thunder is always a few seconds behind the lightning? It is rather simple- light travels much faster than sound. It doesn't matter how far your eardrums are from the source, there is going to be a delay, due to the laws of physics. Unfortunately, there's no one answer for how fast sound travels.

Sound can be affected by a variety of outside elements. Temperature is one of the major factors; humidity is one, air density is another. Sound will always travel faster when it has a vehicle to attach itself to; so in higher humidity, sound will travel faster and with more force than if it were traveling through completely dry air.

WHAT IS THE VEHICLE?

Prayer is the vehicle we use to connect with God, through Christ Jesus-our Advocate. Since we know that we can not make that connection with God unless we go through His Son, there is a need to develop and enhance prayer. An intimate relationship is developed with the Advocate through prayer. Scripture is very clear that each believer should call upon the Lord in prayer individually and corporately. Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in Truth”.  Through prayer, a relationship is established. Once the voice of God has the connector- prayer- the Christian is able to hear the sounds clearer. As with any vehicle or mode used to aid a cause, such as an automobile, in order to keep the vehicle running smoothly, maintenance has to be performed routinely. So, it is with your prayer life. It takes work and commitment to sustain that relationship with God. It requires a simple act of obedience to keep up the maintenance of prayer to keep those sound waves traveling to and fro between you and God. You can call on the Lord ANYTIME! There is no restriction or limit on the amount of times you can call upon Him. Through prayer the trust relationship is established.

TIME TO TAKE ACTION

It is time to start right now calling upon the Lord, no matter whatever level you may find yourself. Prayer changes people, circumstances, communities, cities, nations and generations.  So, what’s next? Now that the Advocate is the connected between the Christian and God is identified, determine that starting right now, you will summon God’s assistance into your life daily. That you will use prayer as a vehicle to hear the sound waves- which carries the guidance and direction that God intended for your life from the beginning.

Communication is vital in any relationship. It is difficult to communicate when one party can not “hear” the voice of the other. When there is so much friction, that the sound waves can not travel to the intended receivers, it is time to correct and reevaluate some things. Thus, how would you know if you are walking according to God’s will? How would you know that God wants to use you to carry out His missions? Through prayer and supplication, you will keep the sound waves flowing. Over time and through process, continue to grow stronger in your relationship with God through Jesus Christ. 

Matthew 6:9-13 states:

Jesus said: “In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors.

And do not leave us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer.

-         E. M. Bounds

In due season, you should be able to reach out to others who may not understand why he/she cannot hear the voice of God or where to start. The time is now and time waits for no one.