The other week I was preparing to teach on prayer for my connect group. I asked God to give me a fresh look at prayer…an insight that I could share. As I continued to pray a long continuous table came to mind, not just any table…His table…God’s table. It was overflowing with everything I could possibly need or desire. I was sitting at His table with such a feeling of honor—like a special guest and at the same time a part of the royal family. I was sitting facing my God and pouring out my heart to Him—a heart of praise—a heart of awe—a heart of “I can’t believe I’m here getting to be in His presence”.  It’s all because of God…..because He made a way through the blood of His Son, Jesus. What a privilege…what an honor…what a gift!

As I’ve reflected on the visualization of His table, God showed me that many times when we come into His presence the table is half full or even empty. Although, NOT because of Him but because of us! We have limited Him before we’ve even entered the throne of grace. We have already negated His provision through thoughts of doubt. Matthew 6:8 says, “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” God already knows what we need! We should come with confidence and receive. We should come expecting! “And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22

Instead, we often focus more on what we don’t have and on what we think we so desperately need that we allow our circumstances to keep us from enjoying the blessing of dining with Him…in His fullness…receiving! The table is full, overflowing with everything we need. God knows…He has already provided according to His riches in Christ Jesus! (Phil. 4:19)  God has already provided His best for us. He’s not like a Santa Clause that gives in excess, instead He is a loving Father that gives us what we need out of His best…for our best.

 Therefore, we can come to Him with confidence assured that His table is overflowing with all that we need and so much more. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” I love the way this verse reads in the Message, “So let’s walk right up to him and get what He is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help!”…RECEIVE!!! Ask for help—He is waiting to give! 

Are you limiting God before you even enter into His presence? Are you missing out on the abundance of His grace? Or are you walking up to Him receiving His mercy…receiving His love…receiving His help…receiving His goodness…receiving His peace? Let us move past focusing all our energy on our need…our desperation and let us enter into His presence with confidence to receive—trusting that His provision is best and far greater than our need.