Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from Whom Shall I Fear? by Christine Caine.
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Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. — Matthew 27:51
Depending on our spiritual upbringing, prayer can be something we do readily, or it can be our last resort. When I was a child, I thought it was something that happened only at church, but once I was grown and gave my heart fully to God, I learned it is so much more. Prayer is how we talk to God, and in that talking there is an exchange. When I talk to God and get everything off my heart and mind and give it all to Him, I find myself actively trusting Him with the things I’m giving to Him. I can feel myself exchange the weight of it all for His rest and peace.
And yet, I imagine we can all relate to giving something to God and then taking it back, all to have to go to Him in prayer once more and give it to Him again—quite possibly doing this over and over until we really give it to Him and leave it. Learning to leave something with God takes practice, doesn’t it? And even then, I’m not sure we can do it successfully every time. I still catch myself leaving my place of prayer, holding on to what I thought I just surrendered, and having to take it to Him again.
Still, the practice of prayer is critical to how we endure and keep moving forward. It is in prayer—in talking to God—that we remember God is great, sovereign, and all-powerful, isn’t it? It is in prayer that we can bring our concerns, anxieties, and cares to God. That we can confess our sins and receive forgiveness. That we can ask for wisdom, help, knowledge, understanding, strength, and courage. That we can give Him thanks, worship, and praise. That we can be still and wait on Him. That we can get to know Him and feel known by Him.
Prayer is a privilege. Talking to and listening to our heavenly Father, with nothing and no one standing between us, is something we get to do.
Having grown up in a church where I failed to realize that I could talk directly to God, this was astounding to me. I had no idea that when Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was “torn in two,” much less what it meant. Later I learned the veil was a curtain in the temple that separated the people from the holy of holies, where the earthly presence of God dwelt.1 Right after Jesus’ death, it literally split from top to bottom, meaning that any and all go-betweens, like Old Testament priests, New Testament religious leaders, even the priests I had grown up learning from and listening to, were no longer necessary for me to talk to God.
I don’t know what you’re sorting out in life today, but you can take it all to God—directly—and He’ll listen. He’ll comfort you. He’ll give you guidance. He’ll give you strength, even if you feel utterly weak. Talk to Him and take it all to Him.
Heavenly Father, please help me bring everything to You in prayer and leave it with You. Help me exchange my fears, cares, and concerns for Your rest and peace. In Jesus’ name, amen.
1. “What Was the Temple Veil? What Is the Meaning of the Temple Veil Being Torn in Two When Jesus Died?” CompellingTruth.org, accessed November 10, 2025, https://www.compellingtruth.org/temple-veil-torn.html.
Excerpted with permission from Whom Shall I Fear? by Christine Caine, copyright Caso Writing, LLC.
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Your Turn
Is prayer your last resort? It doesn’t have to be! Whatever you’re facing today, remember the veil was torn in two… You can take it all to Him! ~ Devotionals Daily
