"The Prayers of the Righteous"

“The Prayers of the Righteous”

 

Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.  And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!        2 Corinthians 9:13-15

 

The Apostle Paul commended the Corinthian Saints for their willingness to help supply the needs of God’s people, which invokes the PRAISE and THANKSGIVING of those in need, to God.  Because the Corinthian Saints were willing to GIVE to others with the RIGHT ATTITUDE, they were being a WITNESS of God’s LOVE and GRACE, which they exemplified through their OBEDIENCE that comes along with a TRUE FAITH in the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST. 

 

Because of their OBEDIENCE to God, and their GENEROSITY, the Jerusalem Saints, who were the recipients of that GENEROSITY, would offer PRAYERS for the CORINTHIAN SAINTS.  PRAYING, no doubt, for God’s RICH BLESSINGS to come to the CORINTHIAN SAINTS.  And all because of the SURPASSING GRACE that God had so ABUNDANTLY poured out on the Saints of Corinth.   As God’s Children, we SHOULD be OBEDIENT and WILLING to meet the NEEDS of others, ESPECIALLY, those who are TRUE BELIEVERS. 

 

One thing to keep in mind is; Psalm 66:18:  “If I regard iniquity (sin) in my HEART, the Lord will not hear.”  Therefore, when we go to the Lord in PRAYER, we MUST CONFESS our SINS, FIRST, before we voice our petitions, especially for INTERCESSORY PRAYER. 

 

Remember, it is NOT by WORKS, that we are SAVED, but by GOD’S AMAZING GRACE.  But also FAITH without WORKS is DEAD.  So like the CORINTHIAN SAINTS, we should WORKOUT our FAITH in the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ, by helping SUPPLY the NEEDS of OTHERS, and especially OTHER TRUE BELIEVERS.  

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God, there is NO purpose for your prayers, UNLESS it is FIRST the PRAYER of REPENTANCE.  CONFESSING your SINS to God and seeking His FORGIVENESS.  Otherwise, He will NOT hear your prayer.  In order to do that you MUST BE WILLING TO TURN AWAY FROM your sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART. Then BELIEVE with ALL your HEART, that JESUS died for YOU, and is ALIVE in HEAVEN, making INTERCESSION for you before God.  Then CONFESS your SINS to Him and ask Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and become a RIGHTEOUS person, with the ASSURANCE that God HEARS and will act upon your requests, ACCORDING to HIS WILL, not NECESSARILY your WANTS.  Do this NOW, while you still can and receive HEAVEN as your ETERNAL HOME.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!