Daily Devotional – Friday, July 15, 2022
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:9 (NKJV)
We call God our Father and expect Him to listen to our prayers the same way our earthly parents give attention to us. In turn, God bids us seek Him in prayer (Read Matthew 7:7 & 1 John 5:14).
Does this mean that God listens to all prayers? King Solomon thinks otherwise in Proverbs 28:9, which states, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.”
If You Are Willing and Obedient…
In essence, there are prayers that God detests. We anger God when we willfully disobey Him then approach Him in prayer as if we have done nothing wrong. God shuts out the prayers of the disobedient.
The Lord has given us conditional promises on which to base our prayers. These assurances demand that we do our part before God grants our requests. For example, in Isaiah 1:19, God promises, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” Can a disobedient person claim this promise without offending God?
The Prayer that God Detests
Consider this promise, too: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14). Will God listen to the prayer of a person who refuses to forgive another? According to verse 15, God detests and rejects such prayers.
In contrast, the prayer that God loves to answer begins with this attitude: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalms 51:17).
To ensure your prayer is not abominable to God, always approach Him with a penitent heart. Live by every truth and light He has revealed to you and surrender yourself to Him.
Prayer
Loving Father, forgive my sins and let my prayers be acceptable to you.
