No Wrong Number Here

I got the cutest phone call last week. Here is how it went:

Me – “Hello”

Unknown child – “Mom?”

Me – “Oh, Honey, You have called the wrong number.”

Unknown child – “But, Mom, I call you every day!”

Me – “But I am not your mother.”

Unknown child – “Do you think she changed her number?”

Me – (Silence and trying not to laugh out loud and embarrass the child)

Unknown child – “Um I’m sorry. I think I called the wrong number.”

Me – “Yes, I think so too.”

My heart went out to the child. I hope this child really found his/her mom. It’s frustrating to call someone only to find out you didn’t get the person you intended.

It made me think about praying. Our intention is to connect with the Creator of the universe. I’ve seen people from all over the world trying to connect with God. I saw one woman crawling on bloody knees from the back of the church to the front, praying the whole time. I’ve seen people stand in front a wall with heads bowed fervently bobbing and praying. I’ve seen those who thought a lighted candle was a constant prayer. I saw a priest spin a tube with writing on it I didn’t understand to get an answer from God for someone. I’ve seen offerings left in front of statues in the hopes that it would bring a favorable response from God.  I’ve seen people bowed down with their heads touching the floor and repeating prayers daily. I’ve seen people doing a lot of extravagant things hoping that they have done the correct thing to connect with God.  I’ve heard some people say, “I just feel like my prayers are hitting the ceiling and not getting through.”

What are the correct ingredients that will cause the God of humanity to bend His ear to listen? Even one of Christ’s disciples (who, by the way, had followed Jesus around for about three years) asked how to get to the Father God. Since Jesus had just said He was leaving Philip wanted to know the way to connect with God.

Jesus said, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  

                                If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. “John 14:8-14

I think Jesus clearly answered the connection question. Do you want to get through to God? Do you want Him to do something great for you or through you? Then believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior and submit to His will. Could it be that simple and yet so hard? Man has tried to circumvent God’s way and invent multiple ways to get answers to prayers. But simply believe and yield your will to Jesus the Son of God. He is the way, the truth and the life. He said that no one gets to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

Believe in Jesus

Connect to God

No wrong number here