Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
Chapter 1—God Invites Us To Pray
Every Sincere Prayer Is Heard—As yet the disciples were unacquainted with the Saviour’s unlimited resources and power. He said to them, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name.” John 16:24. He explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name. He would be present before the Father to make request for them. The prayer of the humble suppliant He presents as His own desire in that soul’s behalf. Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven. It may not be fluently expressed; but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers, and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection. {Pr 13.3}
The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from obstruction, but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. There is no one living who has any power that he has not received from God, and the source whence it comes is open to the weakest human being. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name,” said Jesus, “that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.” {Pr 13.4}
“In My name,” Christ bade His disciples pray. In Christ’s name His followers are to stand before God. Through the value of the sacrifice made for them, they are of value in the Lord’s sight. Because of the imputed righteousness of Christ they are accounted precious. For Christ’s sake the Lord pardons those that fear Him. He does not see in them the vileness of the sinner. He recognizes in them the likeness of His Son, in whom they believe.—(The Desire of Ages, 667.) {Pr 14.1}
The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1: 7. Christ Jesus is Knowledge and righteousness, both imputed unto us by Jesus. Though we are sinners, it is through Jesus that we receive pardon. The wages of sin are death, but it is by Christ’s sacrifice for us that we may have life. Christ is our intercessor and it is by His name that our prayers reach our Heavenly Father. As spoken to His disciples, the secret of their success would be to pray in His name. If you do not know exactly how or what to pray, Jesus will make a perfect utterance on your behalf to our Father in heaven. Pray in the name of Christ Jesus, and your prayer will be heard, and you will receive an answer.
Our Father in Heaven,
We come to You in the name of Jesus Christ. We are eternally grateful for the sacrifice You made of Your only begotten son that we would not perish but have everlasting life. You are the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes unto the Father but by You. We come to You as sinners, yet You still welcome and love us just the way we are, asking that You impute unto us Your righteousness and character. We pray that we may receive a double portion of Your Spirit, filling us with Your power from on high. May You grant us wisdom and understanding, let us not be wise in our own eyes, that we may fear the Lord and depart from evil. We pray that Your word may be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Through Your name, and love for us, we are able to continually utilize the secret to receive Your strength and grace. We come humbly to Your throne of grace that You may intercede and pray on our behalf, as You prayed for Peter in his time of need. We claim Your promise that whatsoever we ask in Your name, that You will do. We thank You for all of Your wonderful promises to us. We are sorry that we have hurt You and repent of our sins. We pray for Your strength and courage to overcome sin, even as You overcame, that we would sin no more. Let everything we say and do, and whatever our hands touch, let it be for the glory of Your name. May we do what is right, favorable, and well pleasing in Your sight, and let us reflect Your light unto this dark and sinful world. We surrender our whole being into Your hands and put all our trust in You. Save us and forgive us of our sins. We pray these things, in the name of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Amen.
