TOO CONDEMNED TO PRAY? - PT. 2

'And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.' - Luke 18 vs 13

Hello dearly beloved in Christ. I pray that these words shared in this Article will bring help, comfort and solace to you in your present distress. Amen.

Our opening Bible verse is the story of a man in a parable which the Lord told, who couldn't confidently pray to God as the other man in that parable did (you can read the other verses of that chapter for the complete story); but this man stood afar off, meaning he wasn't confident to approach the front row in the temple to offer his prayer to God, and that was because of the wall sin placed in his heart. Another translation says, he wouldn't dare look up, but he hid his face in his hands to pray;

'"Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'"' - {MSG}

You see, this is the same case with men today, many Christians are unable to have a sweet time in prayer, they are unable to flow in prayer when they pray to God, because of their sin. One thing sin does in a man is that it creates a wall of partition and demarcation in a man's heart between the man and God, such that, that man is unable to have the confidence to pray as he ought. But what does the Bible say?

'For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.' - 2 Corinthians 5 vs 21 {KJV}

It says that we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. To help you understand this further, let's see Romans 5 vs 17;

'For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)' - {KJV}

It says that we have received, 

• Abundance of Grace
• The Gift of Righteousness

You see, the righteousness that qualifies a man to be perfect in God's sight is that righteousness which God gave to that man in Christ. It is this righteousness that enables and empowers us to be righteous in our doings. Our doings of righteousness does not present us perfect before God, else that would be self-righteousness; but it is God's righteousness which He freely gave in Christ that presents us perfect before Him. And by that righteousness, we are able to do righteousness - because God's righteousness in us becomes our new nature. - Selah

"A man is a product of his nature. A righteous nature will always bring forth righteous fruits." - Selah

Now dearly beloved, having seen these things, when you pray, stand as the righteousness of God and pray as the righteousness of God. Yes, you might still feel that demarcation in your heart as you pray, you might still feel like you're not flowing well in the prayer, yes; but despise how you feel, the believer in Christ does not live by how he feels, he lives by his faith in the Gospel of Christ;

'...For we walk by faith, not by sight...' - 2 Corinthians 5 vs 7 {KJV}

The reality of the believer is the Gospel of God's dear Son, Jesus; and not what he feels, sees or experiences.

Therefore, despise that feeling of disconnection, despise the wall of restriction in your heart hindering you from flowing in prayer, just open your mouth and pray, placing your faith on the realities in Christ, that you have received the gift of Righteousness, hence you are in right standing with God, you and God no get wahalla - Meaning, there are no issues between you and God. Pray as the righteousness of God, keep it coming, knowing that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, knowing that you are perfected in righteousness in Christ (which is a gift you received in Christ); knowing that God will never count your sins on you. Pray. Just pray. As you pray standing on these Realities which are the truth, in time, that wall of hindrance in your heart and mind will brake off, and your joy will break forth, your peace will flow like a river, your fellowship restored, and the flow (in your prayer devotion) maintained. Hallelujah! And not only will your joy burst forth, you will also be strengthened and empowered on the inside of you to go and sin no more. [These are the outcomes of trusting the Truth. - Selah]

'Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.' - Romans 4 vs 8 {KJV}

Pray as the righteousness of God today, because you are. This is what Grace is all about. Thank you God for sending us your dear Son, Jesus.

Glory to God forevermore. Amen.

To read the first publication on this topic, click here >>

God has blessed you beloved.

- Jenning U. Angel