The Preconditions of Prayer (3)

One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28.9

Averse to God’s Law
I have a hard time understanding the present aversion of so many believers to the Law of God. Or, for that matter, to any fixed laws to govern their lives as followers of Christ.

“How can we be free,” some ask, “when we’re expected to submit to some yoke of law? Shouldn’t we just follow the Spirit’s leading, as He guides us moment by moment? Isn’t it enough simply to be like Jesus, and to follow in His path? We’re under grace, not law. Why should we, who have been set free in Christ, be expected to come under the yoke of God’s Law?”

Yes, we should follow the Spirit’s leading, and to have the mind of the Spirit is to submit to the Law of God (Rom. 8.5-9). And yes, we should do what Jesus would do, and walk as He would walk. Jesus fulfilled the Law and expects His disciples to keep the commandments of God (Matt. 5.17-19; 1 Jn. 2.1-6). No, we’re not under the Law concerning salvation; but we are under the Law for good works (Eph. 2.8-10). The Law of God has been established for us, as a standard of holiness, righteousness, and goodness, and as the true measure of liberty and love (Rom. 3.31; 7.12; Jms. 2.8-12; Matt. 22.34-40; 1 Jn. .1-3).

And with respect to our prayers, God has made it plain: He regards as abominable in His sight the prayers of those who turn away their ears from hearing His Law. If you want God to hear your prayers, then you need to make sure you’re paying attention to His Law, and to all His Word.

Whose law?
It’s no use denying the place of law in our lives. Everyone lives by law. We all have values, priorities, and ideas about right and wrong which guide our daily decisions and actions. Even if we’re only a law unto ourselves, ruled by our passions, whims, or passing thoughts, we’re still living by law.

So if we will not live under God’s Law, then our only recourse is to decide for ourselves on some other standard or standards by which to live. That is, we become a law unto ourselves, reserving the right to choose whatever guidelines for living we think will be in our best interest.

And here it’s easy to see why God considers the prayers of those who neglect His Law to be an abomination. Two reasons especially should be clear.

First, by rejecting God’s Law and preferring to be a law unto ourselves, we actually put ourselves in the place of God, presuming to be God by insisting we know better than He how we ought to live. Of course, we would probably not say this, but by choosing our own best ideas about morality over what God has clearly revealed in His Word, is this not the practical effect? Why would God even consider hearing the prayers of such a person? Why would He not rather condemn the impudence and preposterousness of such a claim?

Second, if we neglect the Law of God, and if our attitude toward the entire Word of God is not as it should be, how will we be able to deal with the sin in our lives? Will we even be able to recognize when we are in sin, apart from God’s Word revealing it to us? And will we be likely to agree with God concerning sin, when we reserve the right to decide what’s best for us, how we ought to live?

If we want God to hear our prayers in our time of need, we will not want to show up before Him with anything abominable to Him, thus hindering our access and shutting off our audience. Hearing God’s Law and all His Word is a precondition for access to God and an audience in prayer.

Delighting in God’s Law
So we need to make sure our attitude toward the Law of God, and all the Word of God, is what it should be. This doesn’t mean we need to know the Bible in its entirety, or be scholars or theologians, before God will hear our prayers. It’s not how much we know about His Word that God is seeking from suppliants; it’s the attitude of heart toward His Word that we bring with us into His presence.

The Apostle Peter counsels us to desire the Word of God, so that we may grow thereby (1 Pet. 2.1). If we have truly tasted of the graciousness of the Lord, we will want to know more about Him. God makes Himself known to us in His Word, beginning in His Law. Our desire should be to seek the Lord in His Word, to delight in His Law, hunger for His Word, and esteem the Word of God more than even our necessary food (Ps. 119.77; Jer. 15.16; Job 23.12), so that we come increasingly to love God’s Law and all His Word as that alone which can equip us for every good work (Ps. 119.97; 2 Tim. 3.15-17).

Delighting in the Word of God, and submitting to His Law, is a precondition for God hearing and answering our prayers. Make sure, when you come before the Lord in prayer, that He sees in your heart that longing for Him and His truth that finds you daily feeding upon His Word and meditating in His Law (Ps. 1).

For reflection
1.  Why do you think so many Christians don’t regard the Law of God as all that important?

2.  Why do you think God does?

3.  Suggest some ways to encourage your fellow believers in delighting in God’s Law and Word, in hungering for it and loving it as we should.

Next steps – Conversation: Talk with a fellow believer about what it means to delight in and love the Law and Word of God. How can we know that we actually do love God’s Law and Word?

T. M. Moore

Each of our “next steps” exercises is tied into goals and disciplines involved in working your Personal Mission Field. If you have not yet identified your Personal Mission Field, watch the brief video showing you how to get started right away (click here). Learn how to work your Personal Mission Field by finding a friend and signing-up for our Mission Partners Outreach.

We’re happy to provide ReVision each day at no charge, together with a PDF download of each week’s study. God provides the needs of this ministry through the prayers and gifts of those who believe in our work and benefit from it. Please seek the Lord in prayer, and wait on Him concerning whether you should share in the support of The Fellowship of Ailbe with your gifts. You can donate online with a credit card or through PayPal by clicking the Contribute button here or at the website. Or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.