The Prayer of a Humble and Contrite Heart

Summary

This midweek prayer service opens with the cleansing power of God's Word. Just as Christ washes His church through the word (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:25-27), Scripture quietly removes what burdens us when we come with open hearts. The preacher invites everyone, even the children, to let the Word do its purifying work.

The heart of the message is how we actually pray. Too often we come to God issuing commands - do this, give that - instead of standing watch like Habakkuk to hear what He will say. Isaiah 66 reminds us that God looks on the one who is humble, broken in spirit, and trembles at His Word. The tax collector who beat his chest, the persistent widow, and Hannah praying in her grief all show that a sincere, lowly heart is heard, while the self-righteous Pharisee went home unjustified.

A real encounter with Christ transforms our prayers; of Paul it was simply said, he is now praying. The preacher shares his own testimony of giving sacrificially toward the prayer house and turning down a good job that would have kept him from worship, and how God provided far beyond what he asked. God never remains anyone's debtor, He does not desire the death of a sinner, and He asks us to receive His Word with faith and to examine our own hearts.

Key Points

• God's Word washes the soul the way water cleanses the body; come to Scripture with an open heart.
• Do not command God in prayer; stand watch like Habakkuk and listen for what He will say.
• God draws near to the humble and contrite who tremble at His Word, not to the self-assured.
• Like the tax collector and Hannah, a broken and honest heart is what moves God to answer.
• A genuine encounter with Christ rekindles a hungry, fervent life of prayer.
• Do not judge those who suffer or die; God longs for sinners to repent, not to perish.
• God never stays in our debt - sacrificial obedience is met by His generous provision.