July 22, 2022 -- Proverbs 28:9 -- Prayer and bible reading are tightly connected

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

If one turns away his ear from hearing the law,
   even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:9 ESV

If your law had not been my delight,
   I would have perished in my affliction.
Psalm 119:92 ESV

How is prayer connected to the Word of God? These two passages show us the strong link between the believer’s interest in the Word of God and the believer’s prayer life. More than this even, these verses graphically reveals how God reacts to the prayers of the believer who refuses to submit themselves to His Word.

Here in the Old Testament 'the law' refers to the all that God has to say to His people. It is His instruction. It is the pointer to Christ. It is the instruction in holy living. When one neglects the Word of God, then even his prayers are an abomination. That is very strong word!

In the Bible God the LORD calls the sacrifice of a wicked man an abomination (Proverbs 21:27). It is counted as a vile or disgusting thing. Unchastity—sinning sexually—that too is an abomination to the LORD (Leviticus 18:22). It is critical to know what God hates. Those who know God and love Him are compelled by love to honour Him with their lips, life and language.

Ask yourself, what is blocking your prayer life? Is there unconfessed sin? Is your prayer hindered because you are not reading the Bible? Is your prayer life hindered because you have not prayed and the prayerless days have accumulated? Then start once again today. Pick up your conversation with God. Have formal times of prayer and informally, through-out the day, remind yourself He is near, and bless Him, speak to Him, thank Him for whatever is going on in your life.

O LORD, sustain me under my trials
   and improve me through them.
Give me grace to rest in You
   and by Your Word and Spirit
   assure me of Your deliverance.

May my imagination always combine
   Your majesty with Your mercy,
and connect Your goodness with Your greatness.
Then my heart will always rejoice in praise to You! Amen.

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