We can be so encouraged by the reminder that our prayers are not answered according to confession of sin. We can be thankful that God has taken care of the sin issue in and through and by Jesus Christ ... once and for all ... a done deal ... it is FINISHED. God the Father has been satisfied by, through, with and because of His Son Jesus Christ.

And there is even more good news about that! He has given us His Spirit Who intercedes for us on our behalf! If the very Spirit of God intercedes for us, we have nothing to worry about. Romans is a wonderful letter to read. Chapter 8 is especially encouraging concerning this issue. I will give you a sample:

"...the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and )He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? "

We no longer have any need to focus on 'sin'. We have been free-ed in Christ to bask in His forever forgiveness and in the New Creation that He has miraculously made us in Him. Sadly there is not enough said about all that in today's 'Christianity'. :(

I used to have the same thoughts about: if living a long enough life to lose one's total self-control and end up in a nursing home in that old age, cursing and doing all kinds of embarrassing out of control behavior's, simply from the deterioration of the mind, then ... where would I stand with God under such circumstances? Those thoughts led me to many other thoughts about our standing with God and just what it all meant and what was 'my part' etc. It was wonderful and stimulating (and also sometimes awful all at the same time) having those thoughts and discussions from within and then running them by my hubby and others. Some wonderful revelation and massive encouragement was brought about because of those thoughts and discussions. :)

I hope you will be encouraged here at the Shovel. Jim encourages me soooo much! I hope what he has shared already here with you concerning this issue has encouraged your heart and mind in Christ.

Adam, I was encouraged by your heart as well. :)