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If iniquity is regarded in the heart —

I. PRAYER MUST BE INSINCERE.

1. For the most part, when men engage in prayer, they ask those things for which they are taught to pray.

2. If they regard iniquity in their heart, they cannot be sincere.

3. For they cannot really desire such blessings.

II. PRAYER MUST BE FAITHLESS.

1. Without faith, there is no prayer.

2. Faith, if it exists, is one of many graces, and itself purifies.

3. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, we cannot have faith, and, therefore, God cannot hear us.

III. PRAYER CANNOT BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIVINE WILL.

1. Supposing that the man who regards iniquity in his heart be sincere, his prayer must be for what, etc.

2. He must be rejected.

IV. GOD WILL SHOW HIS DISPLEASURE BY REFUSING TO HEAR.

1. Supposing that the man, etc., is offering a prayer for promised blessings, and —

2. That he is sincere, yet —

3. God has a controversy with him.

V. THE ENDS OF WHICH WE SEEK THE ACCOMPLISHMENT, THROUGH THE BLESSINGS ASKED, MUST BE DISCOUNTENANCED BY GOD.

1. The man asks what is right.

2. He asks sincerely. But —

3. He asks right things for an improper end. We plead the glory of God — the name of Christ.

(J. Stewart.)

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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.