“Men always ought to pray” (Luke 18:1)

Saints should always pray and not lose heart like sinners, for “we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).

Just as Christ intercedes for us to the Father, we should intercede for sinners and saints with Christ. It’s our high privilege to pray in the Holy of Holies. The veil that used to stand in the way was forever split to allow us to enter by the blood of the Lamb. We are “a royal priesthood”, cleansed by His blood to do intercession with Him (1 Peter 2:9).

Praying for sinners is essential if you are to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). You must see every bad thing that happens to you as caused or allowed by God for a purpose. So when a bad thought or feeling comes, pray for the salvation of the person that is responsible for the bad thoughts or feelings, including yourself, if you feel guilty because you know you are disobeying God.

This is not optional. You must not allow bad thoughts and feelings to fester. You must “pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:45).

We are to forgive sinners as Christ forgave us: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses” (Mark 11:25). This is essential for your health, not necessarily for theirs.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus … let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

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