40 Days of Prayer Day 3

Day 3 - Tuesday, September 2

The Boldness of an Honest Heart

His Word
"Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him" (1 John 3:21-22).
"Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life" (Psalm 139:24).

Thoughts
Because of Moses' pure heart that sought no personal glory, he could enter the presence of God unafraid.
The Israelites, though, were terrified to go near God. Moses reminded the people that when the Lord appeared as a consuming fire, "At that time I stood between the Lord and you to declare to you the word of the Lord, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain" (Deuteronomy 5:5).
"Why should we die?" they said. "This great fire will consume us" (Deuteronomy 5:25).
So they told Moses to listen to God. "Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey" (5:27). They preferred to live by a list of rules rather then come near the consuming fire of God's presence.
I once heard a young lady admit she was afraid of prayer. She didn't want to go into God's presence and say with the psalmist, "Point out anything in me that offends you." She missed the joyful privilege of having boldness in prayer.
Those with cleansed hearts have a confidence God hears that those with covered sins lack. "If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened" (Psalm 66:18).
Are we willing to pay the price necessary to have answered prayer? Does it seem too painful, too costly to be honest in God's presence? The cost of unconfessed sin is far more costly.

Come to the Fire Prayer Requests
Pray for women to have a spirit of honesty and humility that gives the Holy Spirit access to their hearts. Pray that they will see their hearts as clearly as they will see them on Judgment Day. Pray that God "will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; [and that] he will purify [His people] and refine them like gold and silver" (Malachi 3:3).
"Purify Your Church, O Lord!"

Lord, I pray for those who are fearful of coming before Your Presence because of her sins. Call to each one, Lord. Place within them a desire for You that is greater than their fear. Place in their lives women who will pave the way for their trip and time at Come to the Fire. Go before us all as we plan, prepare, and present ourselves before your Presence in Olathe. May all the preparations within and without be covered by your blood and your Glory. Amen