THE HEART OF PRAYER THAT IS ACCEPTABLE

 

Prov 15:8

You could ask yourself this question as we approach this text of Scripture this morning. “What am I, what is my service when upon my knees before God? Is it an abomination or is it a delight before Him? This is a serious question because man judges by acts and outward appearances, but God does this by principles. What does your heart reveal when you approach Him through the means of prayer. How can a sacrifice be wicked, be an abomination to God? 

When know throughout the Scriptures that sacrifice is important on to the LORD. Mosaic Law outlined a system of sacrifices for atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication. Common offerings included burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings. These were a way for ancient Israelites to express worship, seek forgiveness, and maintain their relationship with God. Jesus' sacrifice, His death on the cross is presented as the final and perfect sacrifice that makes Old Testament rituals obsolete for atonement. By offering Himself, Jesus provided a way for people to be made holy and be reconciled with God through faith in Him alone. Believers sacrifice, are encouraged to offer their bodies as a "living sacrifice" that is holy and pleasing to God. This involves surrendering one's life, time, and efforts to God as an act of worship. It includes serving others and living a life of devotion to God, reflecting Christ's example of service. How can a sacrifice be wicked, be an abomination to God then? To answer that question we have to examine the heart and the motive of the individual; as God judges the heart of man’s worship.

 

GOD'S FOCUS ON THE CONDITION OF THE HEART

 

The answer seems to be that an act that is good in itself can become ugly to God when it is done with the wrong inner disposition. Isaiah 64:6 as an example. An outward act that looks devout to us can look horrible in God's eyes because it comes from a heart that is wrong.

Since God always looks on the heart, “But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Sam16:7. God will not be mocked or fooled by our outward appearance or actions; He always sees our outward acts not as man sees them but as extensions of what He sees on the inside. Meaning! Whether our acts are immoral, like stealing and adultery, or whether our acts are moral like church attendance and community service, both will be abominable in God's eyes if the heart is not right.

 

Paul teaches the same thing when he says, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Rom 14:23

 

The Hebrew writer affirms this, when he wrote, “And without faith it is impossible to please him…” Heb 11:6

 

Our genuine sacrifices start at the heart level, not on the surface as many live by today. A prime example of this is found in the first two siblings, Cain and Abel. Why was Abel's sacrifice accepted by God and Cain's weren’t?  Well, you could debate what sacrifice was required to be acceptable, but that doesn’t answer the question. The reason is that Abel's sacrifice was offered by faith but Cain's wasn't; and without faith a sacrifice is not pleasing to God; it is an abomination. 

“Abomination” is something that is considered extremely offensive, disgusting, hateful, or morally repugnant. It can refer to a person, an action, or a thing that evokes intense disapproval or loathing. This word carries a strong sense of disgust, and can also describe a feeling of extreme distaste. Biblically this word often refers to something considered sinful or detestable in the eyes of God.

One theologian said, “From idolatry to unfair scales to ungodly sexual relationships to wickedness of various kinds, abominations separate people from God. Really, all sin (missing the mark of God’s perfection) can be considered an abomination. All sin separates us from God and is detestable to Him. God’s hatred of sin makes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross all the more remarkable.”

Occult practices are also called an abomination in Scripture, as is child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 18:9–12; 20:18; 2 Chronicles 28:3).

Ungodly sexual relationships like homosexuality and adultery (Leviticus 18:22–29; 20:13; Deuteronomy 24:4)

Cross-dressing (Deuteronomy 22:5)

Imperfect sacrifices (Deuteronomy 17:1)

Dishonest business dealings (Deuteronomy 25:13–16; Proverbs 11:1; 20:10, 23)

Wickedness (Proverbs 15:9, 26)

Injustice (Proverbs 17:15)

Turning a deaf ear to God’s instruction (Proverbs 28:9)

Hypocritical offerings from the unrepentant (Proverbs 15:8; Isaiah 1:13).

 

This why we read in Proverbs 6, “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. “ Prov 6:16-19

 

Jesus even exposed the pharisees with there man centered acts of worship. “but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15

 

In this context! Any outward, surface level acts of worship, in this case the matter in which we pray does not precede from a heart of adoration is considered man-centered, and an abomination. Can a believer fall into this category at times? Yes, the nation of Israel was called out for this on many occasions. In Isaiah we read, “Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.” Iasiah 1:13. Why would God say this to His covenant people? We get the reason in the verses that follow. The Lord goes on to say, “Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” Isaiah 1:15-20

 

All our sacrifice is judged from the heart level; your Sunday worship is judged on a heart level. Not by me, but by God! If your heart is full of present sin, your act of worship is hindered by it, and we need to repent in order to come before Him with a clear conscience. This is why Jesus says, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Matt 5:23-24

Jesus knew the importance of worship and what God demands from His children when we come before Him. A person who has been sinful during the week can be accepted through the sacrifice, in Christ alone, when it is accompanied by a repentant heart. The sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination because God sees all our acts as extensions or outworking of the heart, and where the heart is bad, the deed is bad whether secular or religious. God considers the "sacrifice of the wicked" an "abomination" because it is a hollow act that does not come from a sincere heart. The outward act of sacrifice is rejected because the person's heart and actions are not pleasing to God.

 

This is due to the fact that their minds are set on the flesh and not on God. As Paul penned, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Rom 8:7-8

 

What is pleasing to God? 

Not false worship, but a genuine heart that has been

transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

GOD DEMANDS A GENUINE HEART WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE

 

God takes delight in the prayers of those who are upright, meaning those whose prayers come from a place of sincerity and righteousness of Christ. God prioritizes genuine, heartfelt worship, over external acts of rituals and man’s way of manipulations. A person's relationship with God, demonstrated through their life choices, determines how their prayers and sacrifices are received.

 

God doesn’t just want your external presence

in worship; He wants all of you.

 

God doesn’t want superficial acts of kindness once and awhile, He wants all of you, not some of you, but you completely. This is why Paul gives the church this charge, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom 12:1-2

This made possible through the saving grace of the gospel, the greatest sacrifice ever given to mankind….the Son of God! The one we read in Luke’s gospel, “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

This is why Paul said I will sacrifice everything for knowing the saving power of Christ, through His suffering, and His resurrection. “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Phil 3:7-11

This is what the new birth produces, genuine acts of worship, and prayer that reaches the heavens, not just the ceiling. Solomon writes, “the prayer of the upright is acceptable” "Upright" refers to those whose hearts are sincere and whose prayers come from a place of true reverence and righteousness, not just outward gestures, the traditions of men. This means God values the honest and humble heart of an individual more than a costly or performative sacrifice offered by a wicked person who claims Jesus.

Example of wicked worship disguised as genuine worship.

 

Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto. This is from their website: Over its 50-year history, MCC Toronto has been a place of action and an inspiring, progressive voice for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Since 2007, MCC Toronto’s LGBTQ+ Refugee Programs have helped over 8,000 LGBTQ+ refugees and brought 75 LGBTQ+ refugees to Canada. We have hired dedicated staff to deliver programs, build partnerships and to engage communities beyond our walls in projects and initiatives that advance our commitment to human rights for all!

 

Church of the Ascension Killaloe. This is from their website: We are progressive church, open to the leading of the Spirit in this time and place. We are committed to healing and reconciliation with the First Peoples of Canada. We seek the full inclusion of all people, and are committed to serving the poor, and working for economic equality for all people.

 

These are people who are deceived by doctrines of demons and thinking what they are doing is genuine worship before God, but according to Prov 15:8 it’s an abomination. The worst deception is thinking you’re worshiping the true God when, in reality, you’ve created a God in your own liking.” John MacArthur said in a sermon on worship, “There are two kinds of people in the world: those who worship God acceptably, and those who do not. And the fact is, apart from faith in Christ, apart from God’s saving work in a sinner’s life, acceptable worship is impossible. Because worship is inextricably linked to salvation.” Sadly, that is the deception we see in some churches today and this is also happening in Baptist, or reformed circles. If our worship/prayer is not coming from a new birth heart, its an abomination.

 

God only accepts genuine worship from a genuine heart that has been shattered and rebuild by the gospel of Jesus Christ, Himself. The upright! These prayers come from the heart and include thanks for His grace, blessings, forgiveness, and compassion on a daily basis. Understand! The character of the sacrifice, the giver, is more important than the sacrifice itself. A significant gift from an immoral person does not bring God pleasure.

 

How is your prayer life?

Is it upright or is exposed as an abomination?

When I hear unsaved people say they are praying in moments

of crisis or I am praying for you.

I begin to feel a deeply sadness and sorrowful for that person. Not because I am better than them, but because they are blind to their condition before a holy God. The only reason you, or I, can come to the throne of grace at any time is because of what Jesus did. I have no legal right outside of that to approach this throne, apart from the saving work of Christ in my life. Apart from this act of grace by God, I am/was, an enemy, hell-bent on living my life the way I want; and do whatever it takes to get it. Even if its superfluously, even if I have to superfluously use religious as a means to get it. If this is you? Your abomination to God. And sadly, you don’t have to be. There are many people sitting in churches that are an abomination to Him because they have bought a bill of goods about Christianity, but its only humanism. Man, centered gospel that has no saving power because God is truly not in it. If you don’t see your lost state, your prayer is going no further than your arms length. The only prayer that God will hear out of the unconverted is their plea for mercy for God to save them from their sins. 

The upright has this right though, because of the saving work of Christ, and we can come before Him with our petitions and adorations because He has adopted us into His family. That’s why the Hebrew writer boldly says the believer can what? “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb 4:16. First off, we read “The throne of grace!” What a beautiful expression. A throne is the seat of sovereignty; a throne of grace is designed to represent a sovereign seated to dispense mercy and pardon. This is who we approach as believers with our prayers! How amazing is that? Imperfect as I am, I can boldly draw with confidence before the sovereign God of the universe. The most holy place to receive mercy and to find grace through the means of prayer and worship. The highest seat or throne of the divine majesty with the blood of the atonement to make intercession for the people, and to plead for pardon. This where the upright prays to. This is what is acceptable before God. This is very humbling as a believer, where the masses who pray in outward appearance only; no nothing of this glory of God through His Son. That’s what makes me sad when the world says, “Thoughts and prayers for the family, or “I am praying for you” I understand the sincerity of it, and I am thankful for the gesture, but it saddens my heart, because you know they are only hurting themselves before a holy God. They are only expressing words that they have been traditionally taught, they have no genuine connection or relationship to the grace of God.

How do I know if my prayer is upright, genuine

and sincere before God?

 

Are you born again though the saving work of Christ?

 

Prayer is….. something that we have as a privilege, it’s not a right, it’s a blessing that has been freely given to us by a holy God through the finishing work founded in the gospel.

 

Prayer is….. a command, it’s recognizing who is our God, a privilege through the saving work of Jesus Christ, a genuine desire through the work of the Spirit and its exalting God because we desperately need Him for everything.

 

Prayer is an exercise of our faith.

Prayer is a bonding time in relationship with God.

Prayer is vital for one another in the church and outside the church.

Prayer is our way of communicating with God.

Prayer is an act of the will.

 

The bible tells us that we can have full assurance that God will answer our prayer. “.....you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.” Jer 29:12. This doesn’t necessarily mean God will answer us right away, or we may not like what His answer is as a result.

Prayer is not to give God information because

God knows everything.

 

Prayer brings us into reverent communion with God, worshipping Him and acknowledging Him as the Giver of all things. Sometimes, the answer to our prayer is:

 

IMMEDIATE “For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” Matt 6:8

 

AFTER A SHORT DELAY "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.” Dan 10:12

 

AFTER A LONG DELAY “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Rev 5:8

DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE WERE EXPECTING “Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor 12: 7-9

 

BEYOND ALL EXPECTATIONS “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,” Eph 3:20

Remember what James wrote “......The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16 Why is effective? Because it prevails, that’s the power of a confident, shameless Christian has in a lost and fallen world. We don’t fake this; we approach Him genuinely.

When we understand this, we will understand that this

is what is acceptable by God.

“Acceptable” means, “The prayer of the "upright" or "honest" is described as "acceptable" and God delights in His children when we approach Him this way. This refers to a sincere, heartfelt prayer from a person whose heart is aligned with God's will and God’s Word. God is not interested in mere ritual or outward performance if it is not accompanied by a genuine and righteous heart. A life of sincere faith, obedience, and love, which involves worshiping in spirit and truth, presenting your body as a living sacrifice, and performing acts of righteousness, peace, and joy.

 

Our daily life in the world is the best indication of what

my heart reveals when I pray.

 

God deals with my prayers not according to the spirit and tone which I exhibit when I am praying in public or private, but according to the spirit I show in my daily life through the heart. 

As R C Sproul said “The worship to which we are called in our renewed state is far too important to be left to personal preferences, whims, or marketing strategies. Pleasing God is at the heart of worship. Therefore, our worship must be informed at every point by the Word of God as we seek God’s own instructions for worship that is pleasing to Him.”

Is it an abomination or is it upright?

I hope and pray it’s the one that is acceptable by God.