C.H. Spurgeon said: "Prepare your prayers by preparing yourselves."

In this chapter we will consider the kind of personal preparation we need to carry out, so as to be an effective intercessor. There needs to be self-examination, self-expression and self-exposure.

1 John 3:21-22 "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

A heart uncondemned and obedient, active in pleasing, brings two things to pass:

	Confidence in God's presence.
	Answered prayers.

The word "confidence" here, means "boldness" before God. That is, openness in speaking the things which are in our hearts, to God. We need to deal with any known sin or failure:

A father taught his young son how consciousness of wrongdoing stops all open communication and makes it impossible to ask any favour. He had told his boy he was not allowed to play ball in the backyard because the neighbour had complained that scrambling over the fence after the ball, was breaking it down. What was more annoying to the neighbour, was that sometimes his flowers suffered. While his Dad was out that morning, he had disobeyed, and having kicked the ball into the garden next door, climbed over the fence for it, and in the process had trodden down a precious plant. Fortunately he was not seen by anyone, but oh, how his heart condemned him.

Later that afternoon, the ice-cream van came into the street playing a happy tune. Normally he would have gone to his father's study and asked if he could have some ice-cream. Because of the morning's misdemeanour he felt unable to ask. Some time later his Dad came out of his study, and calling him, said: "Now, my boy, what have you been up to?" The boy stammered: "Nothing." But his Dad insisted: "I know you have, because you were unable to come and ask me for an ice-cream when the van came by a little while ago." With tears, the boy confessed what he had done. Dad put an arm around him and said: "I am not going to punish you, and I believe you have learned something important. Wrongdoing can stop you asking for favours." He read in 1 John 3:20-22, "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." (KJV). He went on and said: "Always keep short accounts with God": 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (KJV).

In this way the channel of prayer will be kept open. Every intercessor must follow this.

Psalm 66:18-20 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me!"

These verses teach that we must not hold sin in our hearts. It is important to have regular times of examination of the heart.

Psalm 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

Pay attention to how you speak, what you speak, when you speak.

1 Peter 3:10 "For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit."

The intercessor's lips must be clean.

Job 17:9 "... he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger."

Some commentators suggest "the image is from a warrior acquiring new courage in action". Jamieson, Fausset and Brown

The warrior with clean hands would hold the sword with stronger and safer grip. The prayer warrior with clean hands can confidently expect renewal of strength (Isaiah 40:29-31 ). When the intercessor has not been doing things to discredit God, or dishonest action against man, he can lift up clean, holy hands and prevail in prayer.

Psalm 24:3-5 "... who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; ... He shall receive the blessing from the LORD ..."

The Psalmist prayed:

Psalm 7:3-5 "O LORD my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands, If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause, Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me ..."

Clean hands are essential to intercession.

1 John 3:22 "... we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

When we have delight in doing His will and pleasing Him, we shall be abundant receivers, and what we receive will be according to His will.

1 Timothy 1:5 "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith."

The intercessor, like Paul, should be able to testify that he has "a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16 KJV). Otherwise our petitions will be hindered.