Our Prayers Are Never Rejected

Meditation for the day taken from Everyday Prayer with John Calvin, written by Donald McKim:

Scripture: Matthew 9:27-30

The narrative is brief, but the lesson deep. Here in this passage is the encounter of the Savior and two blind men who merely cry out to the Lord for mercy. First, note the simplicity of their faith. They simply cry out for mercy. Is that what all men, everywhere, need? Whatever the circumstance, all men are in dire need of the mercy of the Lord. Because of our miserable and fallen condition, not a single breath can be taken without the condescending love of God the Father upon his creatures. The state of these men is merely highlighted by the gospel writer as those who are blind. We do not know how long they suffered under that malady. We do know it was real -- real enough to cause them to cry for help from the only one who can bring it. Second, note the urgency of their faith. They "came to him." We tend to run to so many things in this life for relief, yet the blind men run to the Lord, and as they did so, crying out to him, they were heard. The Lord did not reject them but listened to their cry for help and saw their faith.

Calvin, commenting on this event, said, "Though the narrative here is of a particular favour done to the two blind men, we may well take a general lesson from this utterance of Christ, that we (as long as we pray from faith) shall never suffer rejection in our prayers." (77). It is comforting to know that our condition, regardless of what it may be, does not hinder the kind and loving ears of the Lord from hearing us. As we pray with hearts of faith, he hears us and does not turn us away. Calvin continues, "If these two men, of slight and scarcely formed faith, gained what they wished, much more today shall the faith of those men avail who come to God with the gift of adoption of the Spirit, and in reliance upon the sacrifice of the Mediator." Those that are justified are now adopted into the family of God. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. Just as an earthly father is eager to hear the cries of his children, our heavenly Father is eager to listen to the cries of his children. The Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter twelve, is probably the richest treatment of the doctrine of adoption ever penned. There it tells us that we have bold access to the throne of grace due to the High Priest's work, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are heard due to his work. As was the case for the two blind men, we too are heard and enjoy the blessings of knowing that our all-wise Father will do "far more abundantly than we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20).