“Call to me and I will answer you …” Jeremiah 33:3

Imagine what it would be like if God installed voice mail. Upon praying you’d hear, “Thank you for calling the Throne Room. Please select one of the following options:

Press one for emergencies.

Press two for complaints.

Press three for information concerning the assigned destination of loved ones who have died, enter L-A-M-B-S-B-O-O-K, then press star. If you receive a negative response, disconnect and dial 6-6-6.

Press four for praise and thanksgiving.

Press five for reservations, then enter J-O-H-N, followed by 3-1-6.

Press six for the directory of angels.

Press seven for encouragement and assurance, then enter P-S-A-L-M, followed by 2-3.

Press eight for daily provisions or dial toll-free 1-800-M-A-T-T-H-E-W-6-25-34.

Press nine to be transferred to Gabriel’s secretary.

Press ten for miscellaneous inquiries or operator assistance.”

Of course, after you press the appropriate number, you’ll probably hear the familiar excuse, “We’re sorry, all our lines are busy. Your prayer is important to us so please don’t disconnect. Your call will be answered in the order it was received.” Then the familiar strains of Sweet Hour of Prayer will play softly in the background …

But as we know, we’ll never encounter voice mail when we pray to God. Not even once. In fact, it’s an outright impossibility.

Which makes us “luckety blessed” as my wife would say. For we can “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and never be concerned about God putting us on hold. There’s no delay. Simply call the Throne Room and you’ll always get through. God’s line will never be busy. He’ll never have an angel fob you off, never ask you to select one of the following options, and will never be too occupied to listen. As He promises in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you …”