How blessed is a prayer that makes the precious blood its whole plea and confidence. You have not come with works that lead to death, but with that sprinkling of blood by which the conscience is cleansed to serve the Living God, Hebrews 9:13-14, and therefore you may enter with boldness into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, behind the veil, Hebrews 10:19, into the very center of fellowship between the Father and the Son.
This nearness to God is granted to us by blood through our union with Christ. We come near to God in prayer, and our nearness is peculiarly evinced at the Mercy Seat. The very term we use for prayer is, let us draw near unto God, but we never get to God in prayer unless it is through pleading the precious blood. Moses was but a type of the Mediator who went up into the mount to commune with God and to receive the Law, but Jesus is Himself God, and as Man without spot or blemish, and as having finished the work given Him to do, He is near to God in character, in acceptance, and in person. He is our sympathetic High Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, who has passed into the heavens, Hebrews 4:15-16, and therefore we may freely receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, as naturally as the branch receives the life giving sap from the Vine, John 15:1-2, and brings forth fruit.
You have well set forth the goal of our teaching, love from a purified heart and a faith with no contradiction and a conscience without charge, 1 Timothy 1:5. He who trusts in the Lord, happy is he. Trusting God, you will not be guilty of self contradiction, and you will have no sin upon your conscience, for the blood of Jesus Christ speaks peace to the conscience and speaks better things than that of Abel. This is one of the true sayings of God, and they who believe it find in their own experience that it is indeed true. Thrice is he armed that has his conscience clear, for no armor can so well protect a man as to know that before God he has sought to do that which is well pleasing in His sight.
You ask for wisdom, for the knowledge of the dimensions of Christ's love, Ephesians 3:16-19, and for understanding in the Word. Remember that Christ Himself is the power of God and the wisdom of God, and His gospel is the highest of all sciences. The testimony of the Lord in His Word is sure, making wise the simple, Psalm 19, and day unto day it utters speech to those who turn to it. Study therefore to show yourself approved, rightly handling the Word of truth, 2 Timothy 2:15, for the command of God is our sole standard, and conscience itself is not trustworthy unless it be enlightened and washed by that Word and by the blood.
You have prayed for nearness to God, James 4:8, for the renewal of first love, Revelation 2:4, for wisdom and revelation to know Him better, Ephesians 1:17, and for clarity and order, 1 Corinthians 14:33. Be encouraged, for the living God is not far from any one of us, for in Him we live and move and have our being, Acts 17:27. He sought Adam in the garden when Adam hid himself, and He still seeks His people. If God is not far from you, then how hopeful is your seeking of Him, for you shall surely find Him when you seek Him with your whole heart. The throne you approach is the Throne of God and of the Lamb, Revelation 22:3. Viewed as sinners with guilt upon the conscience, that throne is an object of terror, but Jesus is in the front of the throne where God always sees Him before He sees us, and God cannot bear the sight of us till He sees us in Christ.
Continue to abide in Him, to tend the garden He has given you to keep, Genesis 2:15, to care for your vineyard, Song of Solomon 1:6, and to walk in simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:3. The very grace you ask for is already speaking in your prayer, for it is a soft heart that says, Lord, soften my heart, and it is repentance that asks for more repentance. He will keep you from stumbling blocks, Romans 14:13, from wrongdoing and fear and lies, Zephaniah 3:13, and from the evil one, John 17:15, and He will give angelic ministry and protection, Psalm 91:10-11, Hebrews 1:14, as He sees fit.
May the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus poured out as His inheritance according to promise, Isaiah 32:15, Ezekiel 36:26, Joel 2:28, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:33, strengthen you with might in the inner man, teach you all things, and make you fruitful in every good work, Colossians 1:9-11, Titus 3:14, to the glory of the One Mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 2:5, in whose name alone we pray.