Are Prayers Meritorious?

     The foundation of prayer is justification by faith alone; that is, our position with God has changed from darkness to light and nothing can hinder that.  Grace is the grounds for Christian prayer, but there is no merit in our prayers.  We cannot earn God's favor in Christian prayer.  I heard a pastor once speak of the merit of our prayers, but such misses the whole point of God's sheer grace.  We dishonor God when we think our prayers are meritorious.  Christian prayer ought to be free and powerful but not earning God's grace.  Grace cannot be earned, but the essence of Christian prayer is grace.  It is founded on the life and death of Christ alone, and we see Christ praying all night long at times.  Christ communicated to His Heavenly Father, and He longed for fellowship with Him.  It is where we communicate to God.  We ought to think of prayer as a way to praise God, thank God and worship God in delighting in Him alone.  There is no greater satisfaction then Christian prayer when we are praising God for His gospel.  May live in Christian worship of the Triune God of the Bible and do so freely by His sovereign grace.  Amen.