It had been a great hit; but the game ended when the baseball went through the front window. The neighborhood children quickly turned to go their own ways, leaving Mark standing there alone holding the bat. He knew he now would have to tell his father what had happened. Too guilt-ridden and timid to approach him alone, Mark called to the others, “Don’t leave, you’re going with me to face my father.”

The “game” had come to an end. Jesus led His disciples to the vicinity of Bethany, lifted up His hands in blessing over them, and then was taken up into heaven. The disciples knew better than to call out, “Don’t go!” to Him who had been their provider and protector. Instead they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. For Jesus was going to His Father, to their Father and ours, so that we would not have to approach Him alone, so that we could come into His presence without fear. Instead of our bat, Jesus carried nail wounds in His hands.

We have a team player in heaven. One who lived our life with us is now at the throne of God. More than a team player, Jesus lived our life for us, perfectly. He took responsibility for the broken windows in our lives. He single-handedly won the game for us when on the cross He declared, “It is finished.” He is the perfect Son of God who became our brother to take our sin away and make us the perfect children of God. He it is who represents us and pleads our case at our Father’s throne in heaven. “Who is He that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).

We may wish that Jesus were visibly present with us so that we could talk with Him at any time. Though we don’t see Him, Jesus assures us that He is with us always. We can and should talk to Him in prayer—at any time and all times—with the full assurance that He hears us, He loves us, and He will always answer our prayers in the way that is best. The fact that Jesus has ascended into heaven gives us even greater reason to pray. We can go directly to the throne in heaven, where our prayers are acceptable and heard by God the Father through His Son.

In our world of sin and temptation, and in our sin-stained hearts and lives, we have much for which to pray. Our prayers ascend to Him who understands, to Him who was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin. He took our sin away, and strengthens us in the time of temptation.

In our world of problems and catastrophes, in our lives of troubles and struggles, we have so much for which to pray. Our prayers ascend to Jesus who overcame the world, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and who governs all things for our eternal good.

In our Christian lives, as we are privileged to carry out Christ’s great command to proclaim His saving gospel to others, we have much for which to pray. Our prayers ascend to Him who won salvation for all.

Our Lord Jesus, who has gone before us, has prepared a place for us at that heavenly throne. One day He will take us to be with Him there forever. Already now we can go to that place of total security in prayer. Let us go there often, and offer large petitions to our Father, boldly and confidently. There we find our Savior’s mighty and gracious hands lifted in eternal blessing over us.

Lord, teach us to pray. Amen.

Joel Willitz is the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Lakeland, Florida.