HEARD PRAYERS IN CHRIST

If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. Psalm 66:18

Surely, the psalmist could not have penned this verse except he had a gracious eye upon grace. There are moments in the heart’s depths, however, fleeting they may be, which have given no high praise to God. We have all indulged in some form of idolatry that is as cold as any inanimate object, as hard as stone, and as easily shaped as the wooden figures worshiped by lusty pagans of old. There is one, however, who never cherished iniquity in His heart— our Lord Jesus. This is what was meant when Paul said of Christ: “who knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21). Because Jesus was not intimately acquainted with sin, the heavenly Father listened and attended to the voice of the Son’s every prayer (v19). The holiness of the heavenly Father’s ears demands that our prayers be ignored. A single sinew of corruption in our mortal frailty spoils the entirety of our requests, supplications, and yes, even praises and thanksgivings. But thanks be to God for His beloved Son, Jesus Christ. His every prayer was precious and perfect upon earth. His prayers have gone before us. But that’s not all! Since He has atoned for sins by His sufferings, death, and shed blood, He intercedes on our behalf (Heb 7:25). He mediates our misgivings (1 Tim 2:5). Jesus advocates our weakness (1 Jn 2:1). And that’s not all! The Holy Spirit also intercedes on our behalf because we know not how we ought to pray (Rom 8:26). Therefore, pray, brothers and sisters. Pray with full confidence that our prayers are heard, and rise to the throne of grace as incense offered by the Great High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ. The very best prayers offered by sinners saved by grace, are those uttered with a grateful eye on grace and a heart filled with love toward the Treasure of heaven for His atoning work.

A faulty prayer’s all we have
Because of mortal flesh;
With grace applied, like healing salve—
Our pray’rs in Christ are bless’d.

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Today's M'Cheyne Reading Schedule: 5/15 - Num 24; Psa 66-67; Isa 14; 1 Pet 2

If you don’t have one, get a free PDF copy of Robert Murray M’Cheyne’s “Daily Bread” Bible Reading Calendar by Clicking Here.

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