DCLM Higher Everyday 11 January 2024 — Following Christ Faithfully
DCLM Higher Everyday 11 January 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — The Acceptable Prayer
Topic: The Acceptable Prayer
Text: Psalms 66:13-20
13I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,
14Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.
15I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.
16Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
17I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
18If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
19But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.
20Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
MEMORY VERSE: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me; But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer” (Psalm 66:18).
Message
Christian believers pray to God through Jesus Christ. It is our channel of interacting with God. He accepts our prayers if we are right with Him and our fellow humans. But if there is iniquity or sin in our lives then He will not accept our prayers. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God told Solomon the conditions of hearing His people’s prayers which involve humility and turning away from wicked ways otherwise known as repentance. No matter how loud and long you pray, if there is sin in your life God will reject you and your prayers.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 10 January 2024 – Following Christ Faithfully
The Bible says in Psalm 7:11 that God is angry with the wicked every day. The only prayer that can be heard and answered by God from a sinner is that of repentance which brings about righteousness. Believers also should avoid all forms of sin, as they will hinder the answers to their prayers. Those who have sinned by lying, stealing, disobedience, or any immoral acts, should plead for cleansing in the blood of Jesus Christ, to have clean hands and pure hearts. Then only will their prayers be acceptable.
QUOTE: Avoid all forms of sin
PRAYER: O God, cleanse me from every sin, in Jesus’ name.
CHALLENGE: Prayers must come from a pure heart.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
