75 Question 32 Does God Answer Prayers of Lawbreakers?

*NOTE* This is only one side of an argument that is to be completed in a later post. I am not saying this side is right or wrong or whether I believe it.  I am merely representing one side of a Biblical belief.

1 John 3:22  “And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.”

It is repeatedly stated in the Bible that the prayers of a lawless man are an abomination to the Lord* and although many argue that the references in the Old Testament do not apply because of the New Covenant, prayer under the Old Covenant was often in the form of sacrifices and it is stated even more times that God desires obedience more than burnt offerings**.

Obedience is more important in our relationship with the Lord than we think, for although God is gracious and loving, He desires obedience more than gifts.

If a rambunctious teen will not obey his parents rules or respect their wishes, they are not going to respect his request for a new vehicle at their expense; how much more the almighty when we are choosing death over life?

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

**1 Samuel 15:22  “And Samuel said,

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?  Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.””

Psalm 66:18  “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

Romans 6:17  “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,”