Prayer continued…
“To the chief Musician upon Neginah, A Psalm of David. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.” Psalm 61:1
How do we know God hears our prayers?
Let’s take a look at a few reasons He might not: “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7 God seems to disapprove when someone has authority over someone else and they abuse that authority. This can definitely be reversed as well. A union where one person abuses love or takes for granted affections to use it for gain is not a pure way to treat another.
Jesus also said, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Matthew 5:23&24 In other words, do your best to come before Him with a heart without bitterness and anger being at peace with others.
“Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.” Matthew 18:23-35
God does not look well on unforgiveness. We ought to remember that Christ forgave us and in all humility, as we put the Word of God over our feelings and emotions, we will understand that He desires that we forgive others and leave Him to deal with wrongs.
We might excuse things in our minds, but when we compare our thoughts with the Word of God, our thoughts will be severely lacking.
Once a friend hurt me deeply. I went before the Lord to tell Him how horrible it was, which He already knew. “Love her anyway.” was what He said to me. He didn’t excuse what she did, but showed me, that with His strength, I could forgive, overcome and even continue to love her.
Walk in love, walk in forgiveness and grace, which is instant forgiveness. “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” Matthew 18:33 God asked the man in the parable above. We need to show others mercy if we want God to hear our cries, otherwise our prayers may be and probably will be hindered.
If you keep your heart as clean as you can, Jesus will see that and honor it. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23&24