Prayer……accepted or rejected?

“Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD,
But the blameless in their ways are His delight”.   Prov. 11;20 NKJV

In Romans 10:1 the apostle Paul says, “My friends, how I wish with all my heart that my own people might be saved!  How I pray to God for them!”

Our prayer must come from the heart!

Prayer to God is only reserved for those who are obedient children of God.   We are told this in John 9:31, “We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will”. (NLT)

Sadly, there are people whose prayer God will not hear.   Why?   Isaiah tells us the answer; “It is because of your sins that he doesn't hear you.  It is your sins that separate you from God when you try to worship him” (Isa. 59:2 GNT).     

To allow anything or anyone to separate us from our relationship with God, so that He will not hear our prayers is a very serious matter.   It is a sad situation for those who try to pray to God and He will not hear them.  But it is their own fault, because they are not obedient to God.  

 Proverbs 28:9, “Surely the prayer of someone who refuses
to listen to God’s teachings is disgusting” (GW).   God looks with disgust at the prayer of one who is not faithfully following His will.   What a horrible situation it is for us when our prayers become disgusting to God.   Could anything be more hopeless?

We also read in I Peter 3:12, “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.  But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil” (NLT).   

The Lord desires to hear the prayers of His faithful children and His eyes are watching out for them.  What a wonderful blessing this is!