Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: Saints: Plead in Prayer

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the righteousness of God is central to Christian theology and is often explored in the context of prayer, where the saints—believers who are set apart for God—invoke His righteousness as they plead for His intervention, guidance, and mercy. The righteousness of God refers to His perfect moral nature, His justice, and His faithfulness to His promises. In prayer, the saints appeal to these attributes, trusting in God's character and His covenantal faithfulness.

Biblical Foundations

The righteousness of God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, and it is often linked to His covenant with His people. In the Old Testament, the psalmists frequently appeal to God's righteousness in their prayers. For instance, in Psalm 143:1, David pleads, "O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me." Here, David appeals to God's righteousness as the basis for his expectation of a response, highlighting the belief that God's righteous nature ensures that He will act justly and faithfully.

Similarly, in Daniel 9:16, Daniel prays, "O Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, turn away Your anger and wrath from Jerusalem, Your city, Your holy mountain." Daniel's prayer is rooted in the understanding that God's righteousness involves His commitment to His people and His promises, and thus, he pleads for mercy based on God's righteous character.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is further revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes that the righteousness of God is manifested apart from the law and is accessible through faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 3:21-22, Paul writes, "But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

The saints, therefore, plead in prayer with the assurance that they are justified by faith and clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This understanding emboldens believers to approach God with confidence, as seen in Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Practical Application

In the life of the believer, pleading the righteousness of God in prayer involves a deep trust in His character and His promises. It is an acknowledgment that God's ways are just and that His plans are perfect. Saints are encouraged to bring their petitions before God, not based on their own merit, but on the righteousness of God as revealed in Christ.

The righteousness of God also serves as a model for the believer's conduct. As those who are called to reflect God's character, the saints are urged to pursue righteousness in their own lives. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, believers are exhorted, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

Conclusion

The righteousness of God is a profound and comforting truth for the saints as they engage in prayer. It assures them of God's unwavering justice, His faithfulness to His promises, and His gracious provision through Jesus Christ. As they plead in prayer, believers are invited to rest in the righteousness of God, confident that He hears and responds to the cries of His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 143:11
Quicken me, O LORD, for your name's sake: for your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 9:16
O LORD, according to all your righteousness, I beseech you, let your anger and your fury be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people are become a reproach to all that are about us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God Has Everything to do with Prayer
... the strength, the wisdom, the righteousness, the sanctification ... than should the prayers
of God's saints declare the ... manhood, is the Mediator between God and man ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/iv god has everything to.htm

Prayer and Humility
... Their works of righteousness; ... were the symbols of humility for the Old Testament
saints. ... fasting and ashes brought Daniel a lowliness before God, and brought ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/ii prayer and humility.htm

Prayer and Obedience
... are Thy ways, Thou King of saints." God's commandments, then ... life shows the fruit
of righteousness " such a ... Obedience to God counts tremendously in the realm ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ix prayer and obedience.htm

Bear up the Hands that Hang Down, by Faith and Prayer...
... and the holy company of saints, reformers, and ... through praying, "subdued kingdoms,
wrought righteousness, obtained promises ... Prayer puts God in the matter with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ix bear up the.htm

Young Man! a Prayer for You
... the powers on the side of truth and righteousness and God ... Believe the truth of God
even to the end, for ... eyes are opened, you will know that saints are honored ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/young man a prayer for.htm

God's People Delivered.
... "Faithful and true," "in righteousness He doth ... flash of lightning, and the roar of
thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /40 gods people delivered.htm

God's People Delivered
... "Faithful and True," "in righteousness He doth ... flash of lightning, and the roar of
thunder, the voice of the Son of God calls forth the sleeping saints. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 40 gods people delivered.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... 3, 8 Paul counts such righteousness loss and ... perceive the wonderful grace and blessing
God imparts through ... honorably may be called the saints, destined, even ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

Answer to Objections: He who Prays Prays not Alone
... when explaining his angelic commission at God's command to help ... who present the prayers
of saints and enter ... with fasting and almsgiving and righteousness is a ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter vi answer to objections .htm

Catholic Spirit
... him, and, above all, his union with a congregation fearing God and working
righteousness: one who ... But only in Thy saints delight ... Who walk with God in purest ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 39 catholic spirit.htm