rjones
Member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Messages
- 314
" . . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16).
It is impossible for us to pray effectively and with fervent faith if we are under any sense of unworthiness or condemnation. James says Elijah was a man "of like passions as we are'' (KJV), yet he uses Elijah as the example of a righteous man praying.
Our righteousness is not based upon ourselves and our own worthiness, but upon what Christ has done for us. We are righteous not because of who WE are, but simply because we are IN CHRIST (Eph. 2:6; Ro. 6:3-11). Because of the totality of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, we are encouraged in Hebrews 4:16 to "approach the throne of grace with confidence'' when we pray (see also Ephesians 3:12; Romans 8:1).
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus . . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience . . . for he who promised is faithful'' (He.10:19-23).
Because prayer is so closely tied with our relationship with the Lord, satan's attack often comes in this area. He will try to discourage a believer, and produce in him feelings of guilt and condemnation. A feeling of unworthiness is the greatest enemy of prayer.
But a Christian must learn to distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy. Any influence that would seek to condemn (Re. 12:10; Ro. 8:1,34; Jn. 3:17-18; 5:24), and thus hinder prayer or the reading of God's Word, has to be an attack of the enemy.
When we realise the importance that even satan sees in prayer, we can take a step of faith, with God's help, and begin to pray regularly. The Holy Spirit then plays His part (Ro. 8:26-27) and brings the excitement that is generated by being involved with the eternal purpose of God.
It is impossible for us to pray effectively and with fervent faith if we are under any sense of unworthiness or condemnation. James says Elijah was a man "of like passions as we are'' (KJV), yet he uses Elijah as the example of a righteous man praying.
Our righteousness is not based upon ourselves and our own worthiness, but upon what Christ has done for us. We are righteous not because of who WE are, but simply because we are IN CHRIST (Eph. 2:6; Ro. 6:3-11). Because of the totality of what Jesus accomplished on the Cross, we are encouraged in Hebrews 4:16 to "approach the throne of grace with confidence'' when we pray (see also Ephesians 3:12; Romans 8:1).
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus . . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience . . . for he who promised is faithful'' (He.10:19-23).
Because prayer is so closely tied with our relationship with the Lord, satan's attack often comes in this area. He will try to discourage a believer, and produce in him feelings of guilt and condemnation. A feeling of unworthiness is the greatest enemy of prayer.
But a Christian must learn to distinguish between the voice of God and the voice of the enemy. Any influence that would seek to condemn (Re. 12:10; Ro. 8:1,34; Jn. 3:17-18; 5:24), and thus hinder prayer or the reading of God's Word, has to be an attack of the enemy.
When we realise the importance that even satan sees in prayer, we can take a step of faith, with God's help, and begin to pray regularly. The Holy Spirit then plays His part (Ro. 8:26-27) and brings the excitement that is generated by being involved with the eternal purpose of God.
