When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. - Isaiah 1:15
Stories of some curiously ‘Spiritless’ people praying to God have been in the news reports. When I say ‘Spiritless’ I simply mean people who, by their associations and in the case of politicians, their voting record are unabashedly unholy. Much like the Reeses© Cup commercials of late they are very quick to say, “Not sorry.” Many of these people proudly speak of their Christianity and boldly declare that they are “very good Christians” or that their “faith guides” their decisions. It is clear that these ‘clouds without wind and rain’ apparently hold a very low view of Holy Scripture. If the Bible is true (and I believe it is, every word), they are going to be in for a serious disappointment on Judgment day. “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works . . .” - Romans 2:5-6.
So the cry goes forth - “Whose prayers does God hear?” Perhaps a bit more study of Holy Scripture would clear that confusion up for them. Whoever does God’s will is a sure indicator of whose prayers God hears. “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” - John 9:31. Not much ambiguity there. God has made it clear that we must obey Him and His law. We will slip and stumble at times but God knows our repentant hearts just as surely as He knows the unrepentant heart of a recalcitrant sinner. And that unrepentant sinner’s prayers will not be heard! “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” - Proverbs 28:9. The great Book of Proverbs goes even further - “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” - Proverbs 15:29.
As God’s people, we are even cautioned about praying like the unrepentant do. No matter what such a man or woman prays; no matter how long their prayers happen to be, no matter how eloquent their words might be - God will not hear them! “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” - Matthew 6:7.
We are told how we should pray. In ‘spirit and in truth.’ That is why unrepentant sinners are also ‘Spiritless.’ “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” - John 4:24.
We must come into God’s presence as we are drawn by the Holy Spirit, who is at work in our hearts. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” - James 4:8. We are told that we cannot entire into God’s presence if we are determined to remain ‘double-minded.’ We can’t ask God for His blessings if we continue to deliberately sin. We must be ‘in the Spirit’ for God to even hear our supplications. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
It is simply not enough for a person to say, “Oh, I will pray for him, her, or them.” If the supplicant is a remorseless and unrepentant sinner, the prayer will not be heard by God in heaven! The Bible has made this point abundantly clear and we would be derelict if we were to ignore the warnings. When we come to God in contrite humility, He is “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:19. Until we are cleansed by God from our sins our prays will not be heard.
Politicians would be wise to understand this eternal truth. We too can profit from such godly wisdom. Let us always remember the prayer that God hears.
No comments:
Post a Comment