THE PRAYER OF THE UPRIGHT

THE PRAYER OF THE UPRIGHT

Proverbs 15:8 KJV
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord : but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

The reason many Christians do not pray often is that they think prayer is only a way to get your needs met. So when they do not have pressing needs they see no real need for prayers. The Lord's disciples saw that their master prayed a lot and they told Him to teach them to pray. Jesus prayed at every opportunity. And He did say that 'men ought always to pray and not to faint'. (Luke 18:1). Paul the apostle said we should 'pray without ceasing' (1 Thes 5:17). In other words, a believer is either praying to guage or he is fainting. Prayer is what sustains a believer in his most holy faith. (Jude vs 20). Today we shall examine an aspect of prayer that would motivate us to pray.

Prayer delights God. That is exactly what our main scripture says. Now, not just any prayer delights God; the prayer of the upright. Another scripture tells us 'the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much' (James 5:17).

When a righteous man prays, he is ministering or attending to God. (See Acts 13:1-3). Prayer (often with fasting) is a spiritual posture of the man who waits on God as a waiter waits on his host. There was a woman who did that most of her life. It was recorded that Anna 'served God with fastings and prayers night and day'. (Luke 2:37).

When we go to God in prayer with a heart of ministering to 'His needs' not ours, God is delighted. There are always kingdom issues that God wants someone to pray about. Only those who venture often into the place of prayer get the privilege of praying 'God's prayer points'. And of course, God responds swiftly to their own issues beyond their expectation.

Pray this morning for more grace to pray. Ask God to enrol you among His sons that delight Him in the place of prayer.

Teach us to pray, Lord. Amen.

- Adeolu Olumodeji