Speaking Even after His Death

Translated from De Saambinder

Rev. A.F. Honkoop, the author of the following paragraphs, occupied a large place in our sister congregations in the Netherlands. This was true not only for the positions which he held such as the chairman of the Curatorium for almost forty years but also for his preaching where Jesus Christ and Him crucified was central to the message which he brought. Rev. Honkoop’s explanation of the Heidelberg Catechism was recently published in the Netherlands by f/zeTarweakker in Goudswaard. Following is a portion of the application of Lord’s Day 45 from his sermon.

We have spoken about prayer. Have you ever prayed in truth? We can be so self-satisfied with our prayers. What does God say of your prayers? Does your prayer go up into the holy of holies? Is your prayer a sweet smell in the nose of the Lord because of the incense of Christ’s mediatorial sacrifice? Or is your prayer only a seeking of self? Is it a prayer where you are the center point, where you have yourself in view? Have you ever needed the Intercessor in your prayers? How many there are who have to be ashamed before a Roman Catholic. Do you know why? A Roman Catholic knows that he needs an intercessor, but among us there are so many who hardly have any realization of that fact. Should we speak of prayers of many yards long wherein the name of Jesus is not mentioned? Prayers where there is no pleading upon the merits of His atoning suffering on the cross? What, then, still remains of your prayer? A prayer without Jesus is as a hollow-sounding vessel. It will never contain anything which is well-pleasing to Him.

A prayer without Jesus is as a hollow-sounding vessel. It will never contain anything which is well-pleasing to Him.

I was still a child when we were once speaking about God’s people. My father has taught me this lesson; listen to how they pray. Listen to hear if Jesus receives a place in their prayers. At that time I barely understood what he meant. Up until today I still receive the benefits of that instruction. I may also teach you; listen to see if Jesus has place in the prayer. Listen to see if the great Intercessor and His benefits are indispensable. Listen to see if an entry is sought to the throne of grace through Christ.

On the other hand, it is a poor praying one in our midst who must say, “Of what value are my prayers? I cannot pray. My prayer cannot have any value before God.” There is an Intercessor, a Minister of the sanctuary, the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, there is One who always lives to pray for His own. There is One who will regard those creepers, those supplicators, those groaners, those who so often must disapprove of their prayers; He is there to take over for them and to bring them before the countenance of His Father. Oh, people, there is One who always lives to pray for His people. No matter how full of shortcomings it may be from our side or how much may be lacking, His work is a perfect work. His intercession is without any shortcomings. His merits are always the same. In Him and through Him the Church may learn to sing:

O let the Lord, our gracious God, Forever blessed be. Who has not turned my prayer from Him, Nor yet His grace from me. O all ye peoples, bless our God, Aloud proclaim His praise, Who safely holds our soul in life, And steadfast makes our ways.

May you be such a beggar at the throne of grace. No, not after this manner, “I have asked for it, but I did not receive it.” That is a self-centered prayer because we think that our prayer gives us some rights. If we may pray as a poor, empty, unworthy one in self, then the Lord will yet hear. The Lord was willing to hear the prayer of a Manasseh. He will hear the calling of such who are so completely unworthy of it. Our God is a hearer of prayer and shows mercy upon prayer.

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