Does God Answer All Our Prayers?

Prov. 28:9---He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

            How often does one hear someone say: "I say a prayer every night before I go to sleep." Lip service in prayer is so common, yet true prayer fellowship with the true God is rare indeed. There's nothing that reveals one's character and godly attitude any more than intimate "talking" with God. This is indeed the soul's breath of a true Christian, likened to the unceasing breathing process of the body. But this proverb has a "catch"---a shocking prerequisite to acceptable prayer; i.e. obedience to the Word of God.

            One who "turneth away (lit. turns off, turns aside) his ear (inner spiritual ear) from hearing (regarding, obeying) the law (Word), even his prayer (intercession, supplication) shall be abomination" (lit. something morally disgusting, idolatrous). Wow! How could it ever be wrong to "pray?" I thought God "answers all our prayers?"

            What a profound exhortation is this axiom. People "pray," but to whom? I said prayers for years, but never felt like I got past the ceiling. I mouthed words, but with no witness of speaking to a living God. Then Jesus came into my life and all was changed---I got through the ceiling for the first time when I cried out for His salvation and forgiveness!

            Thus prayer is not just words spoken into the air, but a definite conversation and intimacy with the True and Living God. But we must emphasize here the necessity to be in touch with the written Word in order to be in touch with the Living Word (Jesus). "If ye abide in Me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you," so Jesus said in Jno.15:7.

            Our obedience to and flow from the Word has direct and vital connection to our prayer life. Disobedience or sin "cuts the cord" or lifeline of fellowship with God. David said: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psa. 66:18)

            Notice, however, that Solomon is not just saying that if we "turn off" the Word our prayers will not be answered; rather he takes it even further by saying: "even his prayer shall be abomination;" i.e. not only unanswered, but wholly rejected as detestable and disgusting before God. What an indictment! Prayer is not a catch-all, as some may think. It's time to proclaim this truth to a sleeping, worldly, backslidden Church, as well as a pseudo-religious world. True prayer emanates from a saving, intimate relationship with the True God.  We cannot pray any higher than we live.