There was a professor at my college who valued his time very much. Students were required to make appointments up to two or three weeks in advance to see him for 15 minutes. I met with him a few times, and it always felt like a privilege to be able to talk with him. I planned my meetings in advance so I could make the best use of my time and not forget anything I wanted to ask him (it didn't always work, but I tried). When I did meet with him, though, it was special.
In the Old Testament, the high priest could only go into the Holy of Holies one time per year, once a year to experience God's presence in a more intimate way. Only the high priest could even enter the Holy of Holies. One man, one day a year.
Fortunately for us, on the day Jesus died, the curtain in front of the Holy of Holies was ripped in two, and we can enter God's presence with unrestricted access. We can enter into God's presence any time. He has an open-door policy, so to speak.
If we were allowed an hour, or even 10 minutes, with our favorite celebrity, we would be enthralled, and there would be almost a sense of reverence in their presence. Wouldn't it be awesome if we could get that same attitude about prayer? How amazing is it that we can talk to someone so much more important than anyone on this earth, and receive His undivided attention? We can know that He hears us when we talk to Him, and that He answers!
When we kneel down to pray, could we say, "God, I am so thankful that you have given me the opportunity to talk with you. You take care of the whole world, but yet you're giving me your undivided attention. I don't want to waste your time with vain repetitions, but I just want to say thank you for what you've done for me today. Thank you that I can live free from sin because You gave Your Son for me. I didn't deserve it, and still don't, but you saved me and you listen when I pray."
Don't make prayer an obligation, make it a priority!
