Tuesday, October 16, 2012

YOUR PRAYERS ASCEND TO GOD


"How glad God must be to answer prayer which fulfills His highest purpose for you.
Do not be afraid to pray for faith. God will not reprimand me for sending such customers to His door. You have a Friend in God's own breast who will ensure your welcome. He who could give Christ before anyone ever prayed is more than willing to give faith to you when you ask. Remember that what you ask God to give, He commands you to do: "This is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ" 1 John 3:23. How glad God must be to answer prayer, which fulfills His highest purpose for you.
By this time you can promise yourself a joyful return on your prayer sent to heaven. But so that you can be even more hopeful, remember that this grace which you want so much and ask God for is the main part of Christ's purchase. His blood, which is the price of pardon, is the full price of faith also. Not only has He canceled man's debt of sin but He has also made a way for us to approach Christ's bank of grace for sinners who see they have nothing of their own. "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them" Psalm 68:18.
Scripture tells us the reason these gifts are given: "that God may dwell among them." Nothing but faith can make a soul who has been rebellious an acceptable place for the holy God to dwell. This is the gift He received all other gifts for. Now let this understanding give you boldness to humble yourself and press God for that which Christ has already brought: "Lord, I have been a rebellious person; but did not Christ receive anything for such? I have an unbelieving heart; but I hear there is faith paid for in your covenant. Christ shed His blood so you could pour out Your Spirit on a sinner like me."
While you are pleading like this with God and using His Son's name in prayer, Christ Himself can hear, agree, and give favor to your prayer."
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

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