The Prayer Perspective: Prayers Of The Righteous
- PERNELL
- Sep 29, 2015
- 3 min read
Hello, my name is Pernell Hill and welcome to The Prayer Perspective, a biblical viewpoint on the principles and practices of prayer. Each perspective will have Prayer Take-Aways, these are steps you can use to maximize your prayer discipline.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But the prayer of the upright is his delight. Proverbs 15:29, The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. We can agree that there is a lot of wickedness in our world, some of it is blatant and some of it is subtle. Wickedness has never been an attraction to God, and never will. Some people have the audacity to think that I can wallow in my wickedness and still think that they can approach God under this disguise of righteousness. But he can see right through us, just as He can see our righteousness, He can also see our wickedness. The difference is, in one He is delighted by and the other He is deterred by.
The prayer of the upright is His delight, it’s like a proud parent who see their children behaving well, who are conducting themselves righteously, being obedient; showing honor and respect. This can be the delight of the parent, the parent is more likely to bless them when they request something. When you are upright, even your prayers are a delight to the Lord. As we learn the disciplines of prayer, it’s important that we also practice righteousness, this will be a great benefit to us, but more about that in a moment.
Proverbs 15:29 says The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. The farther you are away from a person, the less audible they become, it’s difficult to hear them when you are far away. The Lord being far from the wicked is his own decision, this is His preference, but the prayer of the righteous He hears, which suggest that He is close enough or attentive to them when they pray. When you commit your life to God, you will notice that what He don’t like, you don’t like either, or that what He delights in, is also your delight. In other words, it would appear that God would rather be in the company of righteousness than wickedness.
Our righteous conduct can prove beneficial for those whom God has connected us to, because when it’a time to pray for them we have the attention of God. Our righteousness puts us in a good place of prayer. I am no good to my brothers and sisters in Christ when I’m living wickedly, and trying to pray at the same time. My preference is to live as righteously as I can, so that when I pray, I can be assured that the Lord is near and He is taking delight in me. The prayers of the righteous avails much. The word avail means to benefit, so as an effectual righteous pray-er you are a benefit to those whom you have relationship with. It’s important to note that my righteousness can empower my prayers which by faith can produce life changing results.
Prayer Take-Aways
Avoid wickedness, it can be a hindrance to your prayers being heard.
Practice righteous or upright living, this puts you in a better position to your prayer being heard.
The prayer of the upright is God’s delight. The word upright means strictly honorable or honest. The word delight means great pleasure.
God takes great pleasure when you are living honorably and honestly, this gives credibility to your prayers.
God draws near to righteous prayers
You can’t be a benefit to anyone when you’re living wickedly and trying to pray at the same time.
My righteousness can empower my prayers which by faith can produce life changing results.
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