The most important thing that you can learn is who you are as a child of God. All Christians are adopted by God as His beloved children. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1a. As children of God there are many blessings and promises that God provides us that we can read in the Bible. We can strive to learn more about God’s great love for us and how our Father God cares for us. The more we take to heart and remember God’s promises for us, the more the inner joy that comes from being a redeemed child of God can permeate our life. The following was written by an unknown author and describes some of the great promises that God has for us.

                                                                       
​                                                                       A MESSAGE FROM GOD TO YOU
My child,
You may not know this…I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2). I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31). For you were made in My image (Genesis 1:27). In Me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). I knew you before you were born (Jeremiah 1:4-5). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12). You were not a mistake, for all of your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16).

I determined the exact time of your birth and when you would live (Acts 17:26). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). You were created for my praise and glory (Isaiah 43:6-7).

I am not distant and angry. On the contrary, I am the complete expression of love. (1 John 4:16; 1 John 3:16). And it is my desire to lavish My love on you! (1 John 3:1). Simply because you are My child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11). For I am the perfect Father (Matthew 5:48). Every good and perfect gift you receive comes from My hand (James 1:17).

For I am Your provider and meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Because I love you with an everlasting love! (Jeremiah 31:3).   

My thoughts toward you are as countless as the sands on the seashore (Psalm 139:17-18). And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40). For you are My treasured possession (Exodus 19:5). I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3). If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me (Deuteronomy 4:29). Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). I am able to do more than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20). For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). I am your Father, who comforts you in all of your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you! (Psalm 34:18).

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart (Isaiah 40:11). One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4). And I will take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3 -4). I love you! (John 3:16). I am your Father and I love you, even as I love My Son, Jesus (John 17:23). For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed (John 17:26). He is the exact representation of My being (Hebrews 1:3). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31). And to tell you that I am not counting your sins against you (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Jesus died on a cross so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). His death is the ultimate expression of My love for you (1 John 4:10).
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I gave up My one and only Son that I might save you (John 3:16). You and I are reconciled through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross (Colossians 1:19-20). Jesus died and rose again on the third day to rescue you from eternal death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:46). If you receive the gift of My Son, Jesus, you receive Me (1 John 2:23). And nothing will ever separate you from My love again! (Romans 8:38-39). I have always been your Father and will always be your Father (Ephesians 3:14-15).
Love,
Your Father, Almighty God.

Some may wonder why is prayer so important? If God knows everything about us and all of our thoughts, then why do we need to pray? These people might think prayer is as useful as a lifeguard at an Olympic swimming event. This is not true though. It is true that God knows everything about us and our thoughts. Through prayer we can lay our burdens before the Lord. God can communicate truths to us that we need to hear and be reminded of. For example, Philippians 4:6 states, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
 
God wants to hear our prayers and has promised to answer them. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:24. This of course does not mean if we pray for lots of money or possessions that we will automatically be given this. The more time we spend in God’s Word and in prayer, the more our requests will align with God’s will for our lives. We can believe in our requests because we know that they are God-pleasing and can be used to show God’s love to others.
 
A great prayer to remember is found in Hebrews 13:20-21. Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”  This can be better accomplished by praying continually. This helps us to remember that God is with us at all times. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12.

Pastor, author and former seminary president, Milt Rudnick, states how prayer changes us. “We will know Him better, feel closer to Him, trust Him more, and long more intensely to be in contact with Him. God is very real to people who pray often.” Prayer is powerful communication, not because it involves us but because it involves God. God can use prayer to work through us to grow our relationship with Him and to better accomplish His will.