Message #1 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series "Confession"

by Kaye Johns

There is nothing more important to the Christian walk than our having a deep, abiding, personal love relationship with the Lord. Yet it’s a choice we make. God promises if we will draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. [James 4:8] He tells us time and again if we will seek Him, He will be found. [Jer. 29:13] But just as clearly, Scripture tells us that if we have unconfessed sin in our lives, He will not hear our prayers. Our communication with Him will be cut off.

It’s easy for us to assume that any time we pray, He’s listening. But the Bible says differently. In Psalm 66 we read, "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." [Ps. 66:18] And in Isaiah 59, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear." [Is. 59:2] And in John 9, "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His will." [John 9:37]

Do we realize that we could pray for days or weeks or years without His hearing us, if we never face the fact of sin in our lives? If we fail to recognize and confess those sins? We can ignore sin, but God can’t. His holiness won’t allow it.

Think of the prayers you’ve prayed in the last week. What concerns are on your heart? What have you asked God for? Strength? Guidance? Wisdom? Provision? Protection? Healing? ...Forgiveness?

Without confession, He has said He won’t hear us. If He doesn’t hear us, we’re on our own. Perish the thought.

Pray with me now -- Lord, help us to be sensitive to the prompting of Your Holy Spirit, to recognize and confess any sin in our lives, so that You may hear our prayers. Amen.

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