Mobile Phones or cell phones are the new technological innovation that has redefined lives of people.  For some, it is like an umbilical chord not to be detached.  Certainly, it provides mobility with connectivity, a lifestyle aspiration for many Postmodern.  It is possible to be in touch with the beloved ones or office bosses or colleagues while away physically from the familiar environment.  Some times, mobile phones could be a nightmare with unsolicited calls, advertisement calls, and non-essential calls troubling many.  In spite of great technological strides, the mobile phones could be frustrating experience for many at different times.

 

Prayer for a Christian is being in touch or communion with Lord Jesus Christ.  Psalmist writes: “O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.” It is a connection which is seamless (pray without ceasing) (I Thess 5:17). He has promised to answer when we call.  “Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3)  Mobile phones are nothing compared to this privilege of prayer. 

 

It is instructive to hear the pre-recorded female voices and understand the limitations and futility of mobile phones. 

 

Out of coverage area

 

When there is an emergency call has to be made, pre recorded voice scream, “The person whom you are trying to reach is out of coverage area, please try after some time.”  Mobile phones are functional, when they are within the coverage area of the phone towers erected by mobile phone companies atop of tall buildings or hills.  If a person strays away from this invisible umbrella border line he/she could not be reached.  But, Lord Jesus Christ is never out of the coverage area.  You need not ascend to heaven to find Him or descend down to bring him but He is Near. (Romans 10:5-8) He could be reached from any corner of the world.  Below basements, in valleys, high towers, deep sea, caves, wild forests, remote deserts, snow-capped mountains and every conceivable corner of the world he could be reached. 

 

Switched off

 

“The person whom you are trying to reach has switched off his phone.”  All human beings have limitations.  When a person is tired and wants some rest, would switch of his/her phone and go for a good sleep.  It would be futile to call him.  He may not be able to understand the anxiety and signals sent from the other person.  All attempts to reach that person become futile.  Thank God, he never switches off his receiver for our prayers.  In fact, he is awaiting our call and our calls are not boredom for him; but special and priority. 

 

No answer

 

When there is a need to get immediate answer from a person, the message is: “The person whom you are calling has not answered your call.”  May be he knows the person who is calling and does not want to answer.  Or he is doing some other work and considers that is more important that this call.  The person could be taking bath, or in a saloon or shopping and not interested in such interruption. 

 

God who hears our prayers and answers is the God of Israel.  He is never insensitive to the prayers of his people.  He answers us saying ‘Yes- Granted’  or ‘No-Not according to my will’  or ‘Wait- You will get the best’ but never with deliberate silence and indifference. 

 

All lines are busy

 

Technological innovation could make great strides but world catches up to clog the system.  “All routes in this line are busy, please call after some time.”  It is a frustrating experience.  You would not be able to communicate because, the lines are crowded.  You are one among the crowd and do not get special attention.  But, Lord Jesus Christ is always available to hear and answer our prayer.  His lines are not clogged or his system could not be saturated.  When a Christian calls for heavenly help, immediately it lands up in his presence immediately.  Rather he knows our prayers even before his children call.

 

Voice mail

 

Another frustrating experience is to hear the message:  “You have reached the voice mail box of ….please record your message after the beep.”  It is a machine that records the message and the receiver could retrieve the message when he/she could.  The person is not available at present and could be available later.  But, God is very present in the times of trouble.  (Psalm 46:1)  He is God of the past, present and future, hence eternal God.  So, he is very present help in call circumstances. 

 

Redirected phone

 

“This call is being transferred to another phone.”    When a receiver is not able to answer calls, or travels, he/she could set his phone to divert his call to another phone, where someone else could answer call on his/her behalf.  The secretary or spouse would answer the call and the person would not be available directly.  God loves us and wants direct communication with us.  He does not even allow his angels to become via media or mediator between us and Him.  There is direct access to Him always.  His line is always hot line.

 

No balance

 

When prepaid phone facility is used, sometimes message comes:  “You cannot make this outgoing call as there is no balance.”  Prayers are life time ‘Free Call’ facility, and Christians never run out of balance.  The credit of a Christian is God’s grace and love.  His riches, resources, power, grace, wisdom, energy, authority and love are never exhausted. 

 

Mobile phones without SIM Card?

 

How different our life would be if we are more conscious of God’s presence rather than mobile phone’s presence?  What a privilege of communication we have with our living God?  Somehow our prayer life is like a mobile phone without SIM card, useless and fruitless.  Let us make prayer our first priority in our lives.