I was consoling a friend in despair this past week. He was distraught because he felt so distant from the Lord. He desperately wants to reclaim the lost territory that separates him from our heavenly Father.

My friend lost the territory because of sin in his life. He commented that the Lord seems so far away. I told him the Lord has not moved far away, it's my friends actions and choices that creates the chasm. I heard desperation in his voice. He desperately wants to turn from his sin and get off the path that leads only to destruction. Pastor Holly Johnson said in one of her messages a few weeks ago, if you're traveling down a road full of potholes and pitfalls, pick another route.

It sounds simple and it really is, but the hard part starts when you begin your journey down the new path. Resisting temptation is not easy and impossible without Jesus Christ in your life. I told my friend to take time each day to read the Bible and pray. I think many of us are guilty of this one. I know I am. I don't always take the time to read the Word and pray as I should. But when we don't, we experience that gap separating us and the Lord. We also open ourselves up for attack by the enemy because our defenses are not as strong. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul say we should "pray without ceasing." I think Paul meant to pray...whether we feel like it or not. Paul knew firsthand the power of prayer.

We must keep in mind what James said in James 4:8-10...

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.