Prayer is Free

My friend Amy Julia Becker keeps a wonderful web journal reflecting on life and particularly on what she learns through parenting, and then especially through parenting one of her three children who has Down's Syndrome.  This delightful girl, Penny, opens up a world of unexpected spiritual treasures to Amy Julia's readers.  I commend the blog to you.  This week, Amy Julia noted that a book sold at Christ Church's booktable is being given away free to those of you who use the kindle electronic book reader.  You can get your copy here.

The book is on prayer, and has made a positive impact on a number of parishioners at Christ Church.  The free book on prayer reminds me that prayer is always free -- both in the sense that we do not pay for it and that God freely accepts our prayer because Jesus invites us into His presence.

In the church calendar, we are still a ways from Ascension, yet the topic of prayer brings to mind how thankful we can be that our prayers don't bounce off the ceiling, but can be heard by God:

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

(Hebrews 4.14-16)