Day 23
The Power of Prayer is in the Blood
As we continue to talk about the total dependency upon God in prayer, we find a scripture that seems to contradict dependency on God and promote self-righteousness. James 5:16 says, “the effective prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much.” It gives the appearance of contradicting other scriptures such as Romans 3:10 which says, “there is none righteous, not even one.” It even seems to contradict Jesus words as Jesus Himself said in Mark 10:18, “No one is good except God alone.”
Upon closer consideration, we discover through this seemingly evident contradiction that although we have no righteousness of our own, through faith in Jesus Christ, God has given to us righteousness. (Romans 3:22). I Corinthians 1:30 tells us, “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” By God’s design, when our faith is in Jesus, we are in Him; and if we are in Him, His righteousness is in us. We cannot stand in our own righteousness because we have none. However, through Christ we have a perfect righteousness. The bible says in Hebrews 4:16 that we can “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Through the righteousness that we have in Christ, which is given by our faith in Him, we can come with confidence before the throne of God.
The temple that Solomon built and dedicated to the Lord was not the same temple that was in existence when Jesus walked upon this earth; however, it had the same basic design. On the inside of the temple was the Holy Place where only the priests were allowed to come in and minister. In the back of the Holy Place was a veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. All the priests were allowed into the Holy Place every day to perform their ministerial duties; yet, only the High Priest one time out of the year on the Day of Atonement was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies.
Inside the Holy of Holies was the very presence of God. Sin cannot enter into the presence of God, so the High Priest had to have all his sins confessed and repented of before entering the Holy of Holies. If he hadn’t, he would have been consumed by God’s presence. However, when Jesus died upon the cross, God’s work of redeeming mankind was over. The Word of God, in Mathew 27:51, tells us that the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn in two from top to bottom. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, God had made His presence available to all who would call on Him and put their faith in Him.
Many times we get the impression that God hears and answers some people’s prayers more than He does others. However, Romans 2:11 says, “There is no partiality with God.” God doesn’t sit up in heaven saying, “I think I’m going to answer this person’s prayer today and not that person’s.” Remember that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” and that our righteousness is not found within ourselves but in Jesus. I Timothy 2:5 tells us, “for there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” With faith in Christ we pray through Christ, and Christ alone, directly to the throne of God.
Day 23 Prayer Guide
- Ask God to reveal any sin or mindset that would prevent Him from hearing your prayers.
- Repent of any such hindrance and ask for God’s forgiveness.
- Ask God to remove any doubts and keep you focused on Him.
- Seek the Holy Spirit to consume you during this time to lead you. Be obedient to Him.
- Spend some time praising God for the fact that He is able. Quote some scriptures or some of His characteristics to Him in praise.
- Pray that the people of God will repent of sins and mindsets that dishonor and hinder Him.
- Pray that God would reveal prideful attitudes of self-sufficiency and bring about repentance.
- Pray that Christians will know the importance of intercessory pray and walk in it.
- Pray that God would raise up prayer warriors with a heart for revival in our churches and a great awakening in our land.
- Pray that our churches will be houses of prayer.
- Pray that the people of God will stand in faith knowing God can reclaim this land.
- Pray that our churches would be devoted to, and peruse the things that honor God.
- Pray that the people of God would see the need for revival and begin to seek God for it.
- Pray specifically for revival in your church. Pray for your pastor and church leaders.
- Pray that the people of God will be broken hearted over the lost.
- Pray that the church will be a gospel centered church with a heart to evangelize the world while starting in their own back yard.
- Pray that the power of God would fall on the church moving them to prayer and sowing the gospel seed.
- Pray for a great awakening in your community. Name off streets and neighborhoods.
- Do not be judgmental in this, but pray that if there is any within the church who do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus that God would convict their heart and save them.
- Make a list of individuals who are not saved and begin petitioning God for their salvation.
- Pray for repentance of sin and a great awakening in our nation.
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