1
Peter 3:12
In order for
God to hear us, righteousness must permeate our prayer lives. Peter tells us
that God’s ears are attentive to the righteous; meaning that God is heedful,
mindful, thoughtful, and observant to the prayers of those who walk in right
standing with Him. Throughout the Old and New Testament the passages regarding
God hearing our prayers being coupled to righteousness are prevalent:
“Therefore confess your sins to each
other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16
“The Lord is far from the wicked, but
he hears the prayers of the righteous.”
Proverbs 15:29
And, in 1
Timothy 2:8, Paul declares:
“I want men everywhere to lift up
holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”
Probably the
most notable passage, however, is 2 Chronicles 7:14:
“If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their
land.”
Notice what
must happen before God declares that He will hear from heaven. Men must humble
themselves and turn from their wicked ways. God cannot answer what He does not
hear. He cannot hear what we have silenced by our own sinfulness. When we
humble ourselves before God, seek His face and repent of our sins 1 John 1:9
states:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
When we
repent God cleanses us from our unrighteousness. He hears, forgives and answers!
Repentance paves the way to a powerful prayer life. As God’s people we must
humble ourselves and pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. God is
ready to answer!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
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