If you’re a follower of Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah), you know the importance of prayer. Prayer isn't just a ritual; it's a command. It’s an undeniable cornerstone of the Christian life. In fact, you can’t possibly call yourself a Christian without prayer.
Yet, a lot of people have a misunderstanding of what prayer truly is. Some think that all prayers are equally the same and all of them are heard by God. That’s not really the case. In the Bible, there are bad prayers and good prayers.
The bad prayer
Notice what Proverbs 28:9 tells us:
"One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination."
The Bible tells us that for those who don’t listen to God and follow His commandments, their prayers would be an abomination — something that is hateful, disgusting, and unclean.
The good prayer
On the other hand, James 5:16 describes a good prayer:
"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
A righteous person’s prayer is acceptable to God. What is a righteous man? A righteous man means being right with Yahweh by entering into a covenant with Him through the sacrifice of the Messiah. That righteous person would then follow the laws and commandments of Yahweh as a sign of His commitment to Him.
Choose the right prayer
As you can see, prayers are not equally the same. Living a life of sin could turn your prayer into an abomination. On the other hand, living a righteous life makes your prayer a sweet aroma to God, a fragrant offering that ascends to the heavens.
However, it's crucial to note that a prayer's effectiveness isn't a result of personal merit. It's not about what you are or what you do; it's about the grace and mercy bestowed upon us by God. In the tapestry of prayer, grace weaves the threads, making every prayer effective and meaningful.
So, the next time you approach God in prayer, strive for righteousness, let grace lead, and allow God to guide you on His righteous path.
Call to Action
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