24 May How the Heart Affects Your Prayer
God is very good, in grace and nature. The psalmist declares the LORD’S attentive care: He hears prayer. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come (Psalm 65:1–2). That confident praise, however, is paired with an honest recognition of human weakness.
After this song David acknowledged a sobering truth about the inner life: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me (Psalm 66:18). The Lord’s acceptance of our prayers depends not only on outward acts but on the condition of the heart. Our Lord Jesus taught the same inward standard: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart (Matthew 5:28). This shows that sin begins in the heart before it appears in outward action.
We must therefore guard our hearts carefully, because “the heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.” Scripture warns us: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). That vigilance matters for everyone—myself included—because inward sin breaks our fellowship with God and can silence our prayers.
Hear also Job’s admonition: Take heed, regard not iniquity (Job 36:21a). God calls Israel—and calls us—to personal repentance: Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin (Ezekiel 18:30). Turn from hidden sin; seek restoration of heart and life.
Let this be your prayer and plea: Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me (Psalm 119:133, KJV). May God renew your heart so that your praise is sincere and your prayer is heard.
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