“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18).
It is a sobering thought that many prayers are an abomination before God. But the truth is, if someone lives in known sin and refuses to give it up, the Lord takes no pleasure in hearing their voice. Unconfessed sin is a barrier between man and the Creator. God delights in the prayer of a contrite heart, but closes His ears to the rebel who insists on disobedience. True prayer is born out of sincerity, repentance, and the desire to walk in righteousness.
Obedience to the magnificent Law of God—the same Law that Jesus and His disciples faithfully kept—is the path that restores our fellowship with the Father. The Lord’s splendid commandments purify us and teach us to live so that our prayers may rise as a pleasing fragrance before Him. God only reveals His plans and blesses those who turn completely to His will and choose to walk in His holy ways.
The Father blesses and sends the obedient to the Son for forgiveness and salvation. Examine your heart today, confess what needs to be left behind, and return to obeying the Lord. Thus, your prayers will become a sweet song to God’s ears. Adapted from D. L. Moody. Until tomorrow, if the Lord allows us.
Pray with me: Beloved Lord, search my heart and show me all that still needs to be purified. I do not want to live in disobedience, but to walk in holiness before You.
Give me courage to abandon sin and strength to firmly follow Your ways. May every prayer I offer come from a clean and obedient heart.
Oh, dear Father, I thank You for teaching me the value of purity before You. Your beloved Son is my eternal Prince and Savior. Your mighty Law is the mirror of Your holiness. Your commandments are like pure rivers that wash and renew my soul. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
