Call me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3
Calling on God is a biblical term that refers to actively reaching out to God via prayer, worship, and dependence. It is an act of faith and trust, recognizing God as the source of assistance, guidance, comfort, and strength. Calling on God entails more than simply praying; it entails engaging in a real conversation with Him, seeking His presence, guidance, and involvement in our lives.
Every one of us has a calling from God that is a strong, unwavering yearning to get in touch with Him. This call is an invitation to conversation rather than a one-way path. It’s about having a conversation with God, where we can open up to Him and hear His quiet, silent voice. Our relationship with God grows when we frequently seek His presence and call on Him, just as any relationship does.
Key Aspects of Calling on God:
- A Call for Help and Dependence:
Calling on God often includes crying out for His aid in times of trouble, need, or discomfort. It acknowledges that we are unable to overcome particular obstacles on our own and without divine intervention. The Bible is full of examples of individuals turning to God in tough times. For example, in Psalm 18:6, David writes, “In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God, I cried for help.” He heard my voice from his temple, and my desperate plea for help reached his ears.
2. Seek God’s Presence and Guidance:
Calling on God extends beyond emergencies to seeking His presence in everyday life. It’s an ongoing discourse in which we seek His guidance and direction. Jeremiah 29:12–13 states, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek and find me if you seek with all your heart.” This depicts a profoundly personal relationship in which we seek God’s will and purpose for our lives.
3. Worship and adoration:
Calling on God is more than just asking for things; it is also about realizing who He is. It entails praising, worshipping, and glorifying God for His greatness, goodness, and faithfulness. When we worship God, we express our love and thankfulness, growing closer to Him.
4. Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness:
Repentance is another component of reaching out to God. When we deviate from God’s path, calling on Him entails returning to Him, confessing our faults, and seeking His forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 promises us this: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
5. Communing With God:
Calling on God is a means of connecting with Him and developing intimacy through constant conversation. This relationship helps us grow in our faith, understand God’s heart, and live our lives following His desire. It’s similar to a dialogue in which both speaking and listening are involved.
Men Who Called On God:
- King David frequently called on God throughout his life, whether in times of distress (Psalm 34:6), for guidance (Psalm 25:4-5), or to praise God (Psalm 145:18). His psalms reflect a heart that continually reached out to God.
- Prophet Jeremiah: God instructed Jeremiah to call on Him for revelation and understanding. “Call to me, and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). This shows that God invites us to seek Him for deeper knowledge and insight.
- Apostle Peter: When Peter began to sink while walking on water, he called out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30). Jesus immediately reached out and saved him, demonstrating that God responds to our calls for help.
To properly call on God, we must create an environment that promotes intimacy and serenity, allowing His voice to be heard. This does not necessarily imply a physical location, but rather the state of our hearts and minds. Here are several approaches to creating such an environment:
Quietness and Solitude: In a world filled with noise and distractions, finding quietness is crucial. Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray (Luke 5:16). We too need moments of solitude where we can quiet our minds and focus on God.
Purity of Heart: Psalm 24:3–4 reminds us, “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.” A heart free from sin and bitterness is more attuned to God’s voice. Confession and repentance help clear the way for a pure connection.
Expectation and Faith: Hebrews 11:6 tells us that God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. When we come to God, we should do so with an attitude of expectation, believing that He hears us and will respond. Our faith ignites the connection between heaven and earth.
The Power of Conversations with God:
God desires regular, heartfelt discussions, not just formal prayers. These interactions are essential for our spiritual development and knowledge of God’s will. During these exchanges, we:
Gain Wisdom and Understanding: God promises to reveal great and unsearchable things to us when we call on Him. God is wiser than we are; our comprehension is finite. We learn things from our conversations with Him that we would never learn on our own.
Find Comfort and Assurance: Although life can be too much at times, we can find solace when we confide our troubles to God. A calm that is beyond comprehension is brought about by His presence (Philippians 4:7). We are never alone when we have regular talks with God.
Build a Deeper Relationship: Our relationship with God becomes deeper through conversation, just like a friendship or romantic partnership does. Our understanding of His heart and voice deepens as we converse with Him more. These discussions assist us in bringing our lives into line with His plans.
Calling on God is a means of connecting with Him and creating a connection through continuous conversation. This connection enables us to deepen our faith, comprehend God’s heart, and connect our lives with His will. It’s similar to a conversation in which both the speaker and the listener participate.