The Apostle Paul almost got another beating that day. During his travels as a missionary to the Roman world he’d already been beaten five times with whips and three times with rods. The last thing he needed was more scars on his back. But, he was scheduled for more.

                As the Roman centurion’s men strapped the apostle down, Paul startled them with this: “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”

                The centurion reported quickly to his commander; “What are you going to do?… This man is a Roman citizen.”

Alarmed, the commander went straight to Paul and confirmed his story. The same citizenship that had cost this Roman commander a small fortune, Paul had gotten by birth. His citizenship covenant with Rome saved Paul that day when he outranked his persecutors. (Read the whole story in Acts 22:22-29.)

                As believers in Christ “our citizenship is in heaven”, which means we share the rank of Jesus the Messiah. We have a blood covenant purchased for us by Christ. When we pray, we’re treated as covenant partners with God. When we pray, the Holy Spirit starts praying, interceding for us. When we pray, Jesus himself intercedes for us as he sits on the throne at the Father’s right hand*.

When we pray, we’re right in the middle of a vibrating divine conversation. And our little voices matter to God.

                So, don’t pray as a poor beggar. Remember this: “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.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

                *Romans 8:26-34