Gracie had her theology right – at a young and tender age she demonstrated how to access heaven – with her arms lifted heavenward and her hands wide open. Let’s consider Gracie’s theology and learn how to access the throne room of God, enter His presence, and receive His love and blessings.

First – BY GRACE ALONE. We come with open and empty hands before God. Augustus M. Toplady reminds us in the classic hymn “Rock of Ages”, “Thou must save and thou alone: In my hand no price I bring. Simply to thy cross I cling.” Gracie came with empty hands and a needy heart. That’s how we access the presence of God. When we understand God’s grace, like Gracie, who came to us confidently with upraised arms, we can draw near to God. “Let us, therefore, draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we can receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NASB).

Second – by a GENTLE AND TRUSTING HEART. Gracie’s upraised arms and open hands signifies a gentle, humble, and simplistic spirit. She was totally trusting with a childlike faith. Jesus rebuked those who discounted the value of children to God. “Permit the children to come to me; do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all” (Mark 10:13-16 NASB). God’s kingdom can only be accessed by those with gentle, humble faith.

Third – BY GLADNESS OF HEART. Our hands raised to heaven is an act of praise to the king of glory. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, give thanks to Him; bless His name” (Psalm 100:4 NASB). To live a victorious, joyful life I encourage you to spend 15 minutes each day giving thanks and praise to God. Paul admonishes us to “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Fourth – BY GODLY HANDS raised to God in prayer. To enter the throne room of God we must have a clean heart and clean hands. “Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart” (Psalm 24:3-4). The Apostle Paul says, “Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray; lifting up holy hands without wrath and dissension” (I Timothy 2:8). What a privilege and what power there is to lift up holy hands to God in prayer and to bring God’s blessings upon those in need. (Hebrews 10:19-20)

Little Gracie had her theology right but even more so she demonstrated experientially how to access the presence and throne room of God. “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise” (Matthew 21:16).

Do you have a clean heart? Come to Jesus with a needy and humble child-like faith. Raise your hands and heart to Him in prayer and praise. He will take you up. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).