What question do you need an answer to in your life? Does your question concern your job, your relationship or your health? Have you asked God about it?

Jesus Christ set us the perfect example. He knew how to talk to His Father in prayer. And Christ’s prayers were answered! Christ gave us the prayer outline in Matthew 6. True Christians don’t just repeat the words Christ said in a vain repetition, but rather use them as an outline for praying to God our Father.

When we come before God’s throne in prayer, we must do so in faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

In addition to faith, this verse shows that we must diligently seek God. In other words, we must put effort in to draw close to God. There is daily effort involved in seeking God and receiving His answers to our questions.

During Christ’s physical ministry on Earth, He was impressed by the diligent, faithful effort exerted by a small group of people who were trying to get close to Him. This small group brought their sick friend to Christ for healing.

In Mark 2, Christ entered Capernaum. People knew where He was residing and many came to be healed. In fact, so many people came, that there was not enough room for them all.

What do you do if God begins to get crowded out of your life? Maybe your work schedule is taking up most of your time. Maybe the kids are sick. Maybe you are sick. All types of situations demand our attention, but yet we must do what it takes to break through to God! And that takes diligent effort.

And in Mark 2, great effort was exerted to literally break through to Christ! Notice Mark 2:3-5: “And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

What an amazing example of faith! The sick man and his friends would not let anything keep them from Christ! They diligently sought Christ! Jesus was impressed by their faith, and He answered their request. The man was healed of his palsy.

How many people there that day saw the large crowd, thought it would be too much effort to get close to Christ, and simply went home? The Bible doesn’t say, but it does draw special attention to this sick man and his friends who did whatever it took to draw close to Christ.

Would you have gone through that roof? What are the barriers that stand between you and God today? Are you willing to push through them, letting nothing stop you from drawing close to God in prayer? If so, we have something that will really help you!

If you would like to learn more about how to break through to God in prayer and receive the answers you seek, request your free copy of our book How to Pray.