Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: There is a great deal of praying that is merely a form, and of the lips only. And a great deal that is "abomination to the Lord," because the heart is not right. God wile not hear prayer that does not fulfil the conditions of prayer. They are — I. OBEDIENCE. So long as I knowingly refuse obedience, no amount or vehemence of prayer will avail. I must lift up "clean" hands, or He will turn away in righteous anger. II. WHOLEHEARTEDNESS. They that seek Him with "the whole heart " will find Him. None other. God is a jealous God. Therefore halfheartedness will find no favour with Him. How often does God find it necessary to try His people and keep them waiting, till their hearts wax warm and in dead earnest, and their whole being goes out to Him in prayer. III. A CLEANSED HEART. See the text. An evil heart — of unbelief, of cherished sin, of impure desire, of malice, envy, worldliness — may spoil all our prayers and make them a very snare and a cursing. Oh, it is a fearful thing to come before God in prayer By our very prayers we shall be judged, both now and at the day of judgment. What wonder, then, that so many prayers are unanswered? (J. M. Sherwood, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:WEB: If I cherished sin in my heart, the Lord wouldn't have listened. |
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