Entering the Courts of Heaven

Are there times when you pray and you come before the throne of God timidly or half-heartedly? I do this sometimes. Often we aren`t seeing the spiritual reality or context, looking at the earthly and the physical, but not the spiritual.

We are encouraged to enter the throne of God with boldness – not a boldness of our own making, but the boldness which comes from knowing that the things which separate us from God have been dealt with by His son, Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus` death and resurrection, only the High priest was allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies and he was only allowed to do that once a year on the Day of Atonement. He entered on behalf of the people. When Jesus died, the curtain was torn in two – from top to bottom – i.e. torn by God not man. This was a sign that all could now enter into that holy place – not because of what we’ve done but because of what Jesus did for us. That’s an awesome reality.

This ability to now enter into the presence of God is a privilege, and one we should use appropriately – otherwise we’re not taking up the precious way opened up for us.
Paul encourages us with his words ‘let us approach the throne of grace with confidence’ – not to come cowering or doubting or feeling unworthy – but with confidence, for in Christ we are worthy – we wear His worthiness.

Jesus himself encourages us to ask the Father for things. He said to His disciples in John 14:14 ‘If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.’ What a promise.
It’s good to look at the context of these promises because we need to see exactly what Jesus was referring to. He was not preaching prosperity gospel. The context is of Jesus explaining who He is in relation to the Father:

‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it’ (John 14:9-14).

The context is that of Jesus and the Father being one – one in character and purpose – one God. Jesus spent His life doing what He saw the Father doing – doing the will of the Father. So, if, as Jesus’ disciples, we follow in His footsteps and do the work He was doing, we may ask anything in His name and He will do it. Why will He do it? To glorify the name of the Father. In fact, we will do greater things than He did.

As we pray the will of the Father, it is His delight to come in power and to do those things we ask. So when we enter the throne room with boldness and ask for things in Jesus’ name – if we are about His business and praying and interceding in His will – then our prayers are powerful and effective.

James 5:16 says ‘The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.’
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for dying and fulfilling the requirement of the law once and for all so that I may enter the throne room of God boldly. Thank You that that I am in You and that You are in the Father. I’m sorry for the times I haven’t grasped that truth. Please help me to learn how to enter Your throne room with boldness and to intercede as You would have me intercede. In Your name, Amen.