Matthew Henry’s “Method For Prayer”

Plead with God the Merit and Righteousness of Jesus Christ

Petition 3.3 | NIV

The merit and righteousness of my Lord Jesus Christ, which I rely upon as my main plea in my petition for the pardon of sin.

I know that as you are gracious and merciful, so you are the righteous God who loves justice, Psalm 11:7(NIV) and does not leave the guilty unpunished. Exodus 34:7(NIV) I cannot say, “Be patient with me, and I will pay back everything,” Matthew 18:26(NIV) for I have become like one who is unclean, and all my righteous acts are like filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6(NIV) But Jesus Christ has become for me righteousness from God: 1 Corinthians 1:30(NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for me, so that in him I might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21(NIV)

I have sinned, but I have one who speaks to the Father in my defense – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, who is the atoning sacrifice for my sins, and not only for mine but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:1-2(NIV)

It is God who justifies, who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for me; Romans 8:33-34(NIV) and his blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:24(NIV)

I desire to consider everything loss for the sake of Christ, and rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, but that which is through faith in Christ. Philippians 3:7-9(NIV)

This is the name by which I, with your people, will call him: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:6(NIV) In him, Lord, I believe; help me overcome my unbelief! Mark 9:24(NIV)

Lord, remember David and all the hardships he endured; Psalm 132:1(NIV) the Son of David, remember all his sacrifices and accept his burnt offerings; Psalm 20:3(NIV) and do not reject your Anointed One, 2 Chronicles 6:42(NIV) who by his own blood has entered heaven itself, now to appear for me in God’s presence. Hebrews 9:24(NIV)

Have you not yourself presented your Son, Christ Jesus, as a sacrifice of atonement for sin, through faith in his blood, to demonstrate your justice for the remission of sins, to demonstrate your justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus? Romans 3:25-26(NIV) And I now receive reconciliation. Romans 5:11(NIV)

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