Prayer's Fuel

 “… for we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion.” – Daniel 9:18b

We look to the wrong place when we point to our merits to receive God’s grace.  It is not the good we do that stirs the Lord to act in our favor.  It is not even our obedience that spurs Him to forgive us our sins.  No, it is simply on account of His great compassion that the Lord answers our prayers.  As Spurgeon puts it, “nothing but your sin and misery can ever stir His mercy.”  There’s a lesson to be learned here.  When we go before the Lord in prayer, let’s not boast upon the work that we have done or pride ourselves on the steps we’ve taken.  Reflect upon His deep love.  Thank the Lord for His abounding kindness and look for more.  And when we forget the Father’s great love, all we need but to do is look to the cross and be reminded.

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)

Ask with confidence and persistence, not because we have earned the right to be heard, rather ask because the Father delights in giving the best to His children (Matthew 7:7-11).  If the effectiveness of prayer was dependent upon our own righteousness, nothing would be accomplished.  However, since it is founded on the ocean of God’s mercy, there is an overwhelming flood of power in prayer.  Prayer’s fuel is the love of God and nothing else… it will never be exhausted and will never cease to amaze.