Praying Through the Bible #76
TEXT: Proverbs 28:9: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
Today, we come to the final passage in Proverbs regarding the issue of prayer. And, as we look at this verse we see that it holds something in common with the previous two messages we have preached on prayer from the book of Proverbs — and that is, the kind of prayer that God will not hear. Namely, the prayer of the person who is in sin and who refuses to obey God.
In this message, I want us to look at this issue from a positive perspective. Instead of asking, “What are those things that impede or hinder my prayer life?” I want to ask, “What are some things that improve my prayer life?” T.M. Moore said, “It’s good to maintain a certain level of dissatisfaction with the state of our prayers. Since prayer is so important, and such a vital element of the life of faith, we would be remiss not to be always seeking ways to improve our communion with God through prayer.”
As we look at our main verse of Proverbs 28:9, and a few of the verses in the context, we see three ways we can improve our prayer lives and have our prayers answered by God.
1. We can improve our prayer life by listening to and obeying God’s Word. God clearly says, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
2. We can improve our prayer life by seeking out God’s wisdom. In verse 9 we read, “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
3. We can improve our prayer life by confessing and repenting of sin. In verse 13 of this chapter, we find these words: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” This is yet another Scripture with a very plain meaning.
If we want to improve our prayer life and see the hand and blessings of God on our lives and everything we do, we must hear and obey God, actively seek God’s wisdom, and confess and repent of any sin that is standing in the way of a successful, positive prayer life and the blessings that we can receive from God.
Gospel Light House of Prayer International 