But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; Isaiah 64:6 KJV
As the preacher looked over the congregation, pondering his next victim, I sank lower and lower in my chair. He always chose someone at random from the congregation to pray, so everyone tried to avoid making eye contact with him during this time. You would suddenly find everyone reading their Bible or the church bulletin.
When I was called on to pray, I just felt so unworthy, especially when asked to pray for others. I would look down on myself and I just felt that my prayers were a waste, others could do better, and I could not properly get the words out because of over thinking it. Finally in frustration I just confessed to the Lord one day that I am not worthy to do this so stop asking me. To my amazement I heard: "That's right. You're not.", and then this verse came to my remembrance in a very clear way. He made it real to me.
We all know this in our head, but I finally understood in my heart that it is not our performance or acts of righteousness that makes us worthy to come to the Lord in prayer at all. It is the sacrifice of His Son Jesus that makes us worthy to pray. We stand before Him washed as white as snow by the blood of the Lord Jesus. Our own righteousness is as a menstrual cloth, at least that is what the filthy rags refer to in this verse.
When you are called on to pray, step out boldly knowing that God has made you righteous through His Son Jesus, and not by your own actions. You are worthy, because He has made you worthy and you were brought here for such a time as this. Pray like you mean it.
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