Wouldn't you love to have a place where you could run for peace, quiet, calm, strength, and help? It's that place we call sanctuary.
As a child of Christ, you have a sanctuary available and ready for you at any time of the day or night. Here are some words about your sanctuary from Asaph, the psalmist who was perplexed in the midst of a difficulty —
When I tried to understand all this, it seemed hopeless until I entered God's sanctuary. Then I understood…
Psalm 73:16-17 HCSB
The sanctuary of God is a holy and sacred place, set apart from the world. God is in this holy place, the sanctuary where you may enter and draw near to Him. And then it becomes a beautiful sanctuary of prayer where you can pour out your soul to God. Oh friend, there are times when everything seems against us. There are situations where no answer can be seen. And days when fear and discouragement are knocking at the door of our heart. In those times, you need to enter the sanctuary of God. You will discover just like Asaph, that when you try to understand, it seems hopeless. But when you enter God's sanctuary and talk with Him, you will be given a new understanding. And you will find strength to journey through every season of your life.
My husband and I were on an adventurous myPhotoWalk photo shoot in Northern New Mexico. Of course, we sought out the San Francisco de Asis Mission Church in Rancho de Taos, New Mexico — the one photographed by Ansel Adams, and the subject of four of Georgia O'Keefe paintings. San Francisco de Asis Mission Church is a church built between 1772 and 1816. It is located on the plaza in Ranchos de Taos, itself a historic district named Ranchos de Taos Plaza, about four miles southwest of the town of Taos, New Mexico. It was an early Sunday morning, the air crisp but warming, the sky cerulean blue with heavenly feathery clouds, a photographer's dream. We arrived to find a long line of cars pulling into the already filled parking lot. Parishioners were coming to church. We watched as friends and church family greeted each other warmly as they entered the open double doors to worship God. I will never forget that mental image of the open doors and everyone congregating to enter this beautiful church.
We need to remember the door is always open to the sanctuary of God — our sanctuary of prayer. We need to draw near and enter in. And when we do we will discover that God is waiting for us with open arms.
Phillips Brooks, author and pastor in the late 1800s, confessed, "Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but laying hold of God's willingness." The "much" that effective prayers can accomplish includes your deepest and greatest needs. What do you want? What secret longing in your heart have you tried to cover up for so long? Lay it all out before the Lord. Don't ever settle for sitting on the sidelines with God. Instead, draw near and commune with Him. Storm the doors of heaven with every want, every need, every burden, every care. Enter the throne room of your Father. He is waiting for you even now.
Catherine Martin in Passionate Prayer — Discovering The Power Of Talking With God
Take some time today, dear friend, open God's Word, get alone with God, and draw near to Him. Pour out your heart and soul in prayer. Ask Him to revive your heart, renew your spirit, and refresh your soul. And then, open to the psalms, and drink in some of their life-giving water. You will discover once again the beauty and the absolute necessity of entering in to the sanctuary of God.
Lord, today we thank You for inviting us to draw near to You and enter in to the sanctuary of prayer with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Blessings ♡ Grace
