People often doubt or are uncertain whether God will hear them when they pray. Perhaps you too are thinking: “Am I good enough? Will God listen to me? I am just an ordinary person. I do not know how to pray. I am a bit scared of God.”
Ten Biblical reasons why you may stand before God
The truth is, that our heavenly Father desires for us to come boldly before His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Not only does He desire for us to speak to Him, but He also desires to speak to us! Following are some Biblical reasons why you may stand before God. They will help you to settle any uncertainty you may have.
1. On the basis of God’s invitation: Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. There is therefore no reason to doubt whether you can ask the Lord for something.
2. On the basis of the Cross: John 19:30 – When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Jesus paid the price on the cross so we can have access to the Father.
3. Because Jesus is interceding for us: Hebrews 9:24 – For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Just think about the wonder of His great love for us – He is praying for us! Therefore, we can boldly add our prayers to His.
4. On the basis of the promises: 2 Corinthians 1:20 – For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. God is not a man that He would lie – Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross sealed that promise, therefore we can boldly come to pray.
5. On the basis of His covenant with us: 2 Corinthians 6:18 – “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (Hebrews 8:10) – This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. As a believer, you are now part of that covenant – therefore you can boldly come before Him!
6. On the basis of the blood: Hebrews 10:19-22 – Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. The blood of Jesus has made all this possible for anyone who chooses to believe Him and surrender their life to Him.
7. On the basis of God’s oath: Hebrews 6:17 – Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God is so serious about us being the heirs of His promise that He sealed it with a personal oath. This gives us all the confidence we need to approach and trust our heavenly Father for answers.
8. On the basis of God’s character: Numbers 23:19 – God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? We can therefore trust God, that if He says something, it stands for sure.
9. On the basis of our priestly function: Revelation 1:6 – To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. You are saved, you are now a child of God, but you are also now part of the priesthood of God! That gives you confidence in prayer.
10. On the basis of the Name of Jesus: John 14:13-14 – And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. The name of the Lord Jesus refers to His authority and character – when we are in Him and He is in us, whatever we ask of Him, will be according to His will.
Example prayer
The following is an example of a prayer compiled from these verses from Scripture. You can pray this at the beginning of your time of prayer and/or at times when you doubt that God is listening to you:
I enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus.
Father, on the basis of Your invitation that we may approach the throne of grace with confidence, I come to You to receive mercy and find grace and help in my time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Father, You promised that when we call to You, You will answer us and tell us great and unsearchable things we do not know (Jeremiah 33:3). Jesus, before You died on the Cross, You said, “It is finished.” Then the curtain was torn and we received direct access to Your throne (John 19:30). Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, and since I have Jesus as a great high priest over the house of God, I draw near to You, Lord, with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, knowing that my heart is cleansed from a guilty conscience and my body washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22).
Jesus, You are interceding for me in God’s presence.
Father, I come to Your throne with confidence on the basis that Jesus is interceding for me. Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for me in Your presence (Hebrews 9:24).
My comfort and confidence is in Your Name.
I stand on all Your promises. For no matter how many promises You have made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him I speak the “Amen” to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). Lord, Jesus, You said: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8). Lord, I know that Your promises are built on Your character and the Bible tells me God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfil? (Numbers 23:19). Lord, my confidence and comfort is in Your Name, because You promised us that You will do whatever we ask in Your Name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You promised that I may ask You for anything in Your Name, and You will do it (John 14:13-14).
You made a covenant with me – You are my Father.
Father, I call on You on the basis of your covenant with me when You said; “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters.” (2 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 8:10). Because You wanted to make the unchanging nature of your purpose very clear to the heirs, You confirmed it with an oath (Hebrews 6:17). You created me to be Your representative on earth and have made me part of Your kingdom, as a priest to serve You and to continuously remind You of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, while performing my priestly function before Your throne (Revelation 1:6). When I stand before Your throne to intercede for the world, I hold on to Your promise that from the fullness of Your grace we have all received one blessing after another (John 1:16).
