Accepting being forgiven....

[If there seems to be a theme emerging.... ummm, yes. And each builds on each other - we need to act on 'it' all.]

I know I've written on our issue of 'accepting' ... there's always more questions and more to learn.  I just wrote a post on 'Always Forgiven' and raised the following:

   "And after the giving and seeking forgiveness there's always the issue of 

    accepting the forgiveness. Why would we ever seek forgiveness if we weren't

    going to accept it? And do we feel we need to 'pay' for our forgiveness or act

    this way toward others.... but this is an entirely different discussion." Me  

How do you handle - accepting? Try to ignore the issue? You do realize that there is little effective 'moving on' if you don't accept? What if you repeat and need forgiveness again? Sometimes our earnest desires for change, improvement also take time. But does that mean you don't accept the Lord's (and others) forgiveness of you and your words/behavior? Didn't God say that He would forget our forgiven yesterdays?

   "He [God] has not dealt with us according to our sins [as we deserve], Nor

    rewarded us [with punishment] according to our wickedness. For as the

    heavens are high above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those

    who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence]. As
    far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions 

    from us" [Psalms 103:10-12, AMP]

And if that doesn't put a period to being forgiven by the Father, there are over 66 other verses that confirm this. Though... maybe your issue is not that you don't know you're forgiven - you just don't know how to accept that forgiveness?

Why, do you think, we have such a difficult time accepting our forgiveness? Does it all still go back to 'worthiness'? Bottom line. We aren't worthy of ourselves, but we are in the process of becoming who we can be. We don't make ourselves worthy, sufficient - isn't God enough? He says in 2 Corinthians 3:5 that He is. Plus we always rest on our Savior who understands us and our failings and yet doesn't hold this against us. So why should we? Yes... strive toward the upward calling that Paul talks about [Philippians 3:14]. Keep your eyes on the prize [Colossians 3:2-10].  But realize that your growth, your understanding your fulfillment and fruitfulness comes when you lean... and accept and act on your forgiveness.

And, NO... this is not license to sin. What it should inspire in us is an attitude of gratitude. We could never, of ourselves, gain worthiness. However, it is one of the gifts Jesus brought to man. Gift. Not earned. Not purchased. A Gift. And there is only one way to accept and act on this gift - and it is salvation that begins our journey.

I sometimes think it takes more courage, more humility, more love to accept the offered forgiveness (because we know ourselves) than any other single act. And do tell the father of lies - that he has no right to accuse you for he has no place in you and "Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world." [1 John 4:4]. For some strange reason we tend to accept the accusation of a liar faster than the forgiveness of the God of the Universe. Why? Jesus came that we might have abundant life and part of that is accepting forgiveness..

Always Forgiven?

There's a teaching that seems to be a current talking point that I'm not completely understanding. It goes something like this: the believer is forgiven for ALL his sins even before he commits them! Obviously, being a believer is the requirement for that .... but is this 'license'? If it sounds like it is... I don't believe  this is the purpose. The basis for my pondering is:

   "If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude

    ourselves and the truth is not in us. [His word does not live in our hearts.]  

    1 John 1:8

The Message states this thought a bit stronger - 

   

   "If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that

    is errant nonsense. ... If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out

    contradict God—make a liar out of Him. A claim like that only shows off our

    ignorance of God."  1 John 1:8, 10

Granted verse 8 is followed by 1 John 1:9 which is a foundational verse for forgiveness. But... doesn't verse 8 also call into question or at least provide a caveat to the teaching?

The teachings I've heard have not focused on the reality of verse 8... or if it did, I somehow missed it. But I also believe my question/wondering does lead to an answer which is found in verse 9

   "On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—He

    won’t let us down; He’ll be true to Himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us

    of all wrongdoing. " MSG

And on this basis, following the requirement... yes we are always forgiven. But it does require us to confess, repent to the Lord. 

I've added (for myself) and a sincere attempt not to repeat. If you get caught in repeating the same sins over and over also remember Jesus' words to Peter's question on how many times are we required to forgive others - 70x7 (Matthew 18: 21-22). And I've never believed this as a precise number but as an example. Do we forgive others that many times? If we don't then how can we possibly expect that we are continually forgiven?

Personally, I think I live in the state of continual forgiveness which dictates to me that I always have to forgive others. I don't need to be anyone's doormat or place myself in a position where I repeatedly have to forgive the same person for the same thing (whether they seek my forgiveness or not). This sounds totally counterintuitive. Then again... I think I'm always learning about forgiveness... including forgiving myself. Perhaps there's a pattern about how we go about forgiving others when we look at how we forgive ourselves? 

   "Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with

    one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in

    Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32, MSG

And after the giving and seeking forgiveness there's always the issue of accepting the forgiveness. Why would we ever seek forgiveness if we weren't going to accept it? And do we feel we need to 'pay' for our forgiveness or act this way toward others.... but this is an entirely different discussion.

Finally I think I have understood what was being taught. That we always are forgiven because Jesus always stands as our advocate before the Father. (1 John 2:1) but it is in Hebrews that gives me my answer.

   "Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already

    ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold

    fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him

    as Savior]. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and

    understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted

    [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet

    without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the

    throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence

    and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His

    amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at

    the right moment]." Hebrews 4:14-16 AMP

Matthew 7 tells us to ask, seek, knock and it is as we act on this, seek forgiveness that the 'always forgiven' becomes a truth we can believe and act in/on completely.

Questions!

To say that I love questions is an understatement of gargantuan proportions. I'm not too sure that I don't live apart from the questions. I do know that I have said, countless times, that I never met a question I didn't like. Granted, I didn't always love the answer that I discovered from the question - but that's a different discussion. I also remember times that I was asked if I had any questions (typically when I hadn't already asked some). My immediate reply was always that if I hadn't asked any questions then I didn't know enough to have any questions... yet.

To me, questions are way of looking at the world, of discovering. 'What if' has always been a good mate. And 'I've been thinking' or 'I wonder if...' aren't far behind. Why? Partially because a question essentially is value-less.  Though admittedly, questions can be used to help others begin looking at (fill in the blank) differently. It can be a teaching tool that directs without protolyzing. Unfortunately, it can also be used to force others in one's own particular preferences.

How do you view questions? As an interference? As only rabbit trails? We all have experienced the reply to our - may I ask a question? Especially if we qualify our question with a disclaimer of stupid. The answer we receive is that there is never a dumb question. True.... and not. Depends on the questioner's motivation. Why are they asking the question - and do not assume their answer. However, never dismiss a question as irrelevant.

It is true that questions can lead to rabbit trails but sometimes those trails can lead to new understandings - just don't dismiss out of hand. Actually... if we're interested in communicating, having a clear message. promote understanding and refine all that then questions can be a terrific aid. Sadly, there are people who don't know how to ask questions - that don't 'test' the teaching, their understanding and this can lead to disastrous results. Have you ever considered that encouraging questions, not just allowing them, can increase and encourage that person and others? 

And... if you are wondering if questions are found in scripture - the answer is a resounding - YES. Jesus' primary way of speaking to large groups of people was to speak in parables. However, He also used it as a teaching tool for His disciples. And when you look at the interactions between Jesus and His disciples - they were always asking Him questions.  

Knowing 'how' to ask questions should be a primary goal of every teacher regardless of setting. Questions are a way to discover. And discovering is always an adventure.

 

Valued... and of Use

We all begin wondering, at some time, if we're actually of any value, any use at our place of employment. Most jobs don't seem to do a very good at having valued and of meaningful use as a major part of the organizations philosophy. And if it's true in the secular world... isn't it also true in the spiritual?

NO. NO. NO. A thousand times NO!!! This doesn't mean that we don't feel this way, but God certainly doesn't. Look at just 2 scriptures that tell us:

James 1:16-18, MSG

  “So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all His Creatures.”  

Ephesians 2:8-10. AMP]]

   “For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given 

eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation]. For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” 

See?! The world has gotten it all wrong. If it emulated what the Word says, then the question of valued would never arise. And the word 'use' would take on an entirely different meaning. The fact that it doesn't shouldn't be a deterrent or excuse - you can always create this for the world in which you live that you have some influence in/over. No? Why? Everyone needs to feel valued in their lives. What's the point if there is no meaning and purpose to what you do and no one values your contribution? And this is where 'use' fits in. Use is not used. Too often that is the reality.

So what can we do in which the secular world is so diametrically opposed to our spiritual world? I have a couple of suggestions that may work...

 * Don't expect acknowledgement of value and use from the secular world remembering that we are citizens of a Kingdom not of this world. However, when praise does occur - don't let it go to your head but enjoy it too.

 * Don't let the world's behavior dictate yours. You can always encourage others through your valuing of them and letting them know.

 * Remember that our 'reward' is from the Father and He is always blessing us. Lean on Him and He will restore and refresh us.

 * Continue to live with the goal of being of value by being of use - even when it isn't seen by others.

I'm certain that you will find other ways to realize your worth and that it really doesn't come from others... and it really does come from the Father.

   "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. " Philippians 3:13-14 AMP

  "Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, [a]appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Colossians 3:2-4  AMP

'No' gets a bad rap

I could just as easily said 'rep' as 'rap' - both are true. We definitely don't want to hear it from others... we also cringe at having to say it ourselves (especially if we are the people pleasing types). It's just not a word to say 'in polite society'. Why? Most of the time 'no' is the most honest comment that we can hear and say. No ends the discussion, nothing needs to be said/done once it's uttered. However, most of us feel the need to 'explain' (sometimes defined as providing an excuse). I do believe that it is nearly as hard to hear no as it is to speak it.

However, look at a small child just beginning to walk and talk. What is the first word, after 'mine', they say? Yep... 'no'. And why is this? Because that often is the word they hear the most often (positively as well as unexplained negatively). What if it a family member or your boss that asks something that you need to say no to - how comfortable are you then? While I may be writing this slightly tongue in cheek... no need to, No is a fact. And should always be accepted in the manner it was given. 

Granted, there are times when our 'no' is then accompanied by our reason. But never give a reason if there's no need - too often that comes off as an excuse and inevitably - lame. Could it, perhaps, be that other's reaction to our 'no' reflects on our character? That we don't stand behind our own no? That eventually we will capitulate and say yes? 

No should never be casually or cavalierly stated. You do need, if for no one else than yourself, to know your why behind the no (whether or not there is a need to share it). And, I hasten to add - the same goes for your 'yes'! Scripture speaks to this when it says in Matthew 5:33-37 MSG

   "And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our

    traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of

    pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with

    you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them

    with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes

    less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own

    way, you go wrong."

How's that for putting a period? Bottom line seems to be - are you a person of your word? Do you have the reputation with others that you stand by what you say? You do know you can change your mind, but you better have an excellent reason to do so and that you inform all those affected by your decision. No and Yes are important words, But also - you need to act on, stand by your answer.

 

Hiding?

How do you handle a situation in which you have: made a fool of yourself, been totally in the wrong, did/said something you totally regret, etc.? Do you try and avoid those people? Do you blame someone or something else? Try and distance yourself as much as possible from the words, actions done too quickly, to the wrong person, or actually have a grain of truth in them?

Hiding from others really doesn't work. If they happen to be family - good luck on accomplishing that feat! If it's a good friend - not simple either. A co-worker? In other words - someone you are likely to encounter. Pretending 'it' never happened doesn't work? Oh! Could you actually go to that person and apologize? Seems the simplest approach but ohhh so difficult. The 'people from the East' have nothing on any westerner - saving face is universal and applicable to all. And though you may have faced this before, it never is easy or gets easier. Why don't we learn from our behavior? It's a matter of choice. We really can and some do grow from these situations. Others... not so much. 

The issue really isn't so much about the why this happened - though you will need to deal with that eventually - it's the consequences of what happened. You've heard that Person A has a quick temper or Person B takes offense quickly. Yes? People's words and actions do give them a 'rep'. Why? Forewarned is forearmed? Why repeat the cycle? It has to get wearying. 

Change always begins with an honest and unabashed appraisal of self: strengths, weaknesses, wants, desires, gifts, talents, obstacles, stumbling stones, etc. Bottom line is we have to begin with the known about ourselves. Change can't really be affective nor acknowledged in a vacuum. I suspect all of us are neither as 'bad' as we hope we aren't nor as 'good' as we hope we are. But without a foundation about the known of ourselves we lack the proper qualities to make the necessary improvements/changes. 

A year from now do you still want to be facing the problems you have? Do you really want to see what you've missed? Yesterday is a was but it's a was we can learn from. Hiding will never accomplish anything. If we don't learn, we'll never change... we'll only repeat. However, also remember to learn from the positive things you do, let them guide where appropriate - it's called 'accentuated the positive'. The rest of that song goes... 'eliminate the negative'. Both are needed to cause change, cause growth and you really can do this. Do you wanna?

This is a simple message that I've said countless times (I really do need to listen to myself too.) Simple is sometimes precisely what we need... never ignore the obvious.

And yet ...

If you look at yourself, you WERE a wretch - not ARE. You are undeserving. And yet, you have been chosen by God's grace - it isn't of yourself. Look at Ephesians 2 - this is written about and to all who accept the gift of life in Jesus through faith.

   "But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful 

    love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and

    separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive 

    with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been

    saved from God’s judgment). And He raised us up together with Him [when we

    believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in

    Christ Jesus, [and He did this] so that in the ages to come He might [clearly]

    show the immeasurable and unsurpassed riches of His grace in [His] kindness

    toward us in Christ Jesus [by providing for our redemption]. For it is by grace

    [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have

    been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through

    faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort],

    but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;..." [verses 4-8]

These verses not only tell us Who, but the What, Why, and How! Need some scriptural examples? What about Abraham? How about Peter? Paul? When you look at their lives you see people just like you, doing things just like you (that you'd prefer not to) but they also had faith (Hebrews 11). Their actions weren't always 'good' or right but at their core they also believed and their faith God accounted as righteousness. Have you ever truly taken the time and thought of this gift (Your faith), that depends totally on you and your decision,  and it is as much about your future as it is about your now? Hint. The Father even gives to all a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). But again... a choice on our behalf.

The point is never our worthiness, it's also not our past. It's not about works... though works are an expression from us when we become His workmanship created for those works He has already prepared for us (Ephesians 2). The point is always the mercy of God shown by His Grace which He bestows on us in abundance. 

Bottom line... it's NOT all about you. And yet, it is all about you. Do you realize that Jesus would still have gone to the cross even if it was - only for you? He went without strings attached. But in doing this He provided the most incredible gift to us. He didn't ask us to become perfect or even only 'better' before we accepted His gift. It is with outstretched hands that He presents His gift to us. What does He bring? Everything worth bringing: life, peace, joy, purpose, fruitfulness, love, abundance, protection, fellowship and these are only part of what's contain in His free gift to us.

What do we bring? Ourselves. Right now. Right here. Yes, He did save a wretch like you but that's not who He saw and sees. While we come just as we are, He has plans for each and all of us: Jeremiah 29:11

   "For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for

    peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

If pride [in the form of I can do it myself, or I don't need this, or I'm not worthy of Him) is stopping you... why? All those are lies that you tell yourself or that the devil has attempted to make you believe. If you can believe a lie... you can also renounce it. 'And yet...' is always available for us all.

Hope... a last resort?

I wonder... do we really understand hope? Do we have a viable and active definition of the word? Do we act in hope? Or... is it the last step after having done everything we know... we hope?  That's not a particular strong or effective foundation. However, it is NOT an effectual word with no power. Read 1 Corinthians 13:13

   "And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope

    [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others

   growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the

   greatest of these is love." [AMP]

This verse is typically a lead in for the Love chapter. Add; the entire Bible is one lesson after another about Faith. What's hope's job/responsibility? And the definition: confident expectation of eternal salvation - is that all? Granted... that's a huge statement - eternal salvation. But... does hope impact, direct, undergird our everyday lives?

To be honest, I've not spent much time on the word and making it real and active in my life. To paraphrase a very old folk song - "I really don't know hope at all.' The following is my discoverings about hope and I'm inviting you on this path.

I know that the word is used over 121 times in scripture. The use isn't in question but it does indicate its importance when used consistently  I've always believed that when a word is used multiple times, that it must denote a level of importance leading to a responsibility to understand. Our understanding is at issue. One of my starting points is GotQuestions [selected comment0

   "The Bible has quite a lot to say about hope. Biblical hope has as its foundation

    faith in God. The word hope in English often conveys doubt. ... In addition, the

    word hope is often followed by the word so. ...

    In the Old Testament the Hebrew word batah and its cognates has the meaning

    of confidence, security, and being without care;   ...
    In most instances in the New Testament, the word hope is the Greek

    elpis/elpizo. ... biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance

    based upon a sure foundation for which we wait with joy and full

    confidence. In other words, “There is no doubt about it!”

    One of the verses in which we find the word hope is Hebrews 11:1. 

      “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do 

       not see.” 

    [[The Amplified Bible: "Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of

    things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen

    [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be

    experienced by the physical senses."]]

         ...

    Therefore, biblical hope is a reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope carries no

    doubt. Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives,

    believing that God always keeps His promises.  ..."

Goodness did I have a misperception! Confident expectation based upon a sure foundation! Reading the Word and Got Questions understanding has to change our view about Hope and what it is. Hebrews 6:19 says:

   "This hope (verse 18 on God and His Word) [this confident assurance] we have

    as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under

   whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within

    the veil [of the heavenly temple,...] 

An anchor! That is a strong word and it keeps and protects the ship (us) from the ravages that assail us. At least for me, I see Hope as a much stronger component in the 3 cord of Faith Hope and Love than I realized. In the future, when I use the word 'hope' it isn't a toss away, insignificant statement. 

The Path to Relationship

For me, relationship is incredibly important. And when it's applied to the Lord - critical doesn't even come close to describing my definition. However, let me set up the dilemma.

   "For we all have become like one who is [ceremonially] unclean [like a   

    leper], And all our deeds of righteousness are like filthy rags;" 

    [Isaiah 64:6a. AMP] 

Not a particularly strong position to initiate or retain a relationship. Now add:

   "... For what partnership can righteousness have with lawlessness? Or what

    fellowship can light have with darkness?" [2 Corinthians 6:14b, AMP]

Granted the Corinthian verse is related to our relationships with unbelievers but I don't think it's a long stretch to apply it to our relationship with the Lord. So the dilemma is clear and how do we bridge the chasm between the Lord and ourselves? It isn't something we can earn nor purchase. In terms of 'my' resolution/understanding concerning this dilemma, you may think me presumptuous or fanciful. Possibly... but no. You may not agree. OK... but show me my error.

Sharing my thinking. 

  1. You have to believe in the Creator God and that it is He who created us.

  2. His creation sinned greatly and broke the relationship - and we inherited this

state. Honestly... do you actually believe you would have acted differently than Adam and Eve?!! Of course not.

  3, #2 was no surprise to our omni God. So He prepared ahead of time to bring us back into relationship.

  4. I think the first example is Abram. When you look at Abram and all of the things he did you probably can see some of your own actions and/or thoughts. He as well as the other examples in the Old Testament (they are repeated in Hebrews as examples of people who believed God without seeing the results of their faith). They chose to believe God and HE accounted their faith as righteousness - the best example is Romans 4:1-3. 

  5. The best description of our righteousness is in Isaiah 64-6 - dirty rags. We can't buy righteousness, we can earn it. Remembering too that we are admonished not to be in relationship with unrighteousness! So... if we aren't supposed to, would the Father be able to? Answer is found in  2 Corinthians 5:21 

  

   "He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in

    Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made

    acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious

    lovingkindness]."

Our faith in Jesus as our Lord is our path to relationship because it is faith in Him that the Father accords us righteousness. I believe that one of the gifts Jesus brought when He came was the gift of righteousness and the path to attain it.

Will we be able to sustain this? Probably not. We all do and say things we wished we hadn't, even Paul did. BUT we also have 1 John 1:9 that tells us how to return to relationship:

   "If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful

    and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and

    cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything

    not in conformity with His will and purpose]."

We are indeed blessed by the mercy and grace of our Triune God. It's available for all who make Jesus their Lord. 

       

MORE Miscellaneous Thoughts on PRAYER, Part 2

Let me ask you a question... how did you learn about prayer? Did you observe it? Was it a teaching? The real question is: what do you understand about prayer? Who are You as a pray-er? Are you still growing as a pray-er? What was the last learning on prayer you experienced? Most important - how do you express prayer? Do you have a kind of ritual? Specific time set aside to pray? On the fly? Whenever you can 'stick' it in?

I've written about prayer many times... I'd like to share some more of my merging understandings. These 'observations' start in 2010 - nearly at the beginning of writing books and blogs. Throughout all this time, it is one of the main 'subjects' I keep returning to [thus confirming my point that one never knows everything about prayer and praying]. Personally, I believe the point is how we act on these spiritual matters. If we don't apply and practice them... what exactly are we doing?

One of the main scriptures I use to evaluate myself (we do intensely dislike the word 'judge', don't we) is how I apply my learning so that I know what I know, how I express the learning, and what I still need to learn (also there are those lessons I learned once but either didn't apply or 'forgot' them).

   "...  The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can

   accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is

   dynamic and can have tremendous power]." [James 5:16b, AMP].

Do we really know what 'heartfelt, persistent, righteous mean? In July, 2015 I asked:

 "This may sound like a presumption on my part, or, minimally, a stupid question

  but when you pray, do you pray believing? Or do you pray, hoping? Maybe you

  pray, unthinkingly and/or rote-like? Do you pray that God will 'do something' to

  change some one or thing? The point is - when you pray, what's your attitude?

  A tangential question is - do you think God hears prayers by those who do not

  pray... believing? These really aren't speculative questions because they go to

  the heart of who you are as a pray-er. And my bias is first, that who you are

  determines what you expect when you pray. Secondly, I believe we ALL are

  called to pray, that is never a question as it is part and parcel of who we are as

  Christians." [Blog, 7-27-15 - 'Pray Believing?']

This is an inward looking evaluation. Who we bring (us) to pray is critical. I think we all want to be effective and efficient - so how do we do this? Start with the requirements - when it comes to prayer, it's being righteous. We can never achieve righteous from our own efforts but we can remember who we are becoming and stand on 1 Corinthians 5:21. And if we have anything we need to do we have 1 John 1:9. When we are then we can ask, intercede for someone else's situation and remember Hebrews 11:6 and ask according to God's purposes (found in scripture). 

Remember that we enter the devil's domain when we are praying (2 Corinthians 10: 4...). I believe it is crucial to enter with all the weapons available to us in order to be effective. Just remember that whatever the request we have the ability to be effective.