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Our first instinct when we find ourselves wedged between a rock and a hard place is to seek out some spiritual superstars to pray for us. Possibly your pastor, or an elder, or a deacon would be your first choice.  Your grandmother may top the list. Either way it would be someone who you believe to be in constant contact with the Almighty.
There’s good reason why we believe the way we do. The Bible says that, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Psalms 34:12 states, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” And who could deny the accomplishments of David, Daniel, Mary, Paul, and the like when they immersed themselves in prayer. Mountains can be moved when godly people hit the floor.
But what if it’s late? Or your pastor is on sabbatical? Or Billy Graham’s mobile line is busy? Will you simply hope to ride out the storm until relief arrives?
Here’s a thought. Pray for yourself.
The “righteous” are not just the heavy-hitters of the faith. It’s you and me as well. Anyone who has accepted Christ’s offer of salvation has been declared righteous in God’s eyes (2 Cor. 5:21). Access to God was made available to all when the temple curtain, separating God from man, split in two upon Christ’s death. Because of what Christ has done, according to the book of Hebrews, each one of us can “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need” (4:16).
It’s not that we shouldn’t seek out others to pray for us, especially those with an innate sense of the divine, but there is nothing like speaking with God directly. At your moment of salvation God entered into a special relationship with you personally. He wants to communicate with you one on one. No clergy member is necessary to act as a mediator between you and God. You have a direct line.
Maybe you don’t always feel all that “righteous.” Maybe you think it would be better if someone more holy would speak to God on your behalf. Maybe you feel as if your prayers don’t sound ecclesiastical enough. It matters not. The prodigal son was put at the front of the line when he cried out to his father for help even though his brother was always at his father’s feet (Luke 15).

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