Let's Start Praying More (Part 11)

 
This is a continuation of our examination on the three conditional requirements for answered prayer according to 2 Chronicles 7:14, "My people who are called by My name (1) humble themselves and pray and (2) seek My face and (3) turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
 
(3) Turn From Their Wicked Ways: To “turn from their wicked ways” is understood in scripture as the actions of a repentant heart, as it is written, “Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” (Acts 3:19, NIV).
 
In the words of Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, “Prayer, along with repentance, will be the catalyst that sets in motion the Final Redemption.” (Praying with Fire, page 50).  Repentance is the physical act of turning around and moving away from the pathway of rebellion and turning toward God, demonstrated by actions that reflects a repentive hear. Paul told the Gentiles “Repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance,” (Acts 26:20).  On the day of Pentecost Peter told the people, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” (Acts 2:38).
 
The LORD does not hear the prayers of those who live in disobedience, as it is written, “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him,” (John 9:31). From Micah we read, “Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. Instead, He will hide His face from them at that time because they practiced evil deeds,” (Micah 3:4). Solomon recorded the words of the LORD in this way,
 
“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer, they will seek me diligently but they will not find me, because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD. They would not accept my counsel, they spurred all my reproof. So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satisfied with their own devices.” (Prov 1:28-31)
 
To have “effective prayer”, a believer must pray “in accordance with His will”. A believer must approach the LORD with a repentant heart, a life that is living in a state of obedience to the word of the LORD, and the believer must desire a deeper relationship with the Father. Just as the offering at the temple was dependent on the sincerity of the person’s heart, the qualifications for effective prayer originate with, “He who has clean hands and a pure heart”. In the words of the Talmud writers,
 
“A person’s prayer is not heard unless he places his heart in his hand; as it is said, ‘We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven’ (Lam 3:41) (Taan. 8a)”
 
A believer must not just raise his hands in prayer (1 Tim 2:8), but also his heart. For prayer to be effective, a person must approach God with “clean hands and a pure heart,” (Psa 24:4). A “pure heart” follows the pattern of David, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will,” (Acts 13:22). When a person elevates his spiritual status through prayer, he lays the foundation to receive the blessing of the LORD. The higher the spiritual level a person develops through prayer, the greater the capacity to receive the blessing of the LORD.


(NEXT - The transformation of a person through prayer - Scott)