Medford First Church of the Nazarene

WEEK 27 DEVOTIONAL ON PRAYER

“The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.” Proverbs 15:8

A sacrifice that was done thoughtlessly and without any moral or spiritual involvement was a sacrifice that was an abomination to God. It was worse than a sacrifice that was neglected. Sacrifice was to be a physical symbol of the person’s true attitude of repentance and commitment to God. A sacrifice in itself was ineffective. The striking truth is that our regular behavior matters to God. Sacrifice must be backed by an upright life. I Samuel 15:22 says, “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

Religious ritual is dangerous to the spiritual health of the soul. Prayers that become routine are dangerous. Prayer must never be reduced to a time slot in a daily devotional routine, an obligation, or a duty. Prayer must never be reduced to just a ritual or habit. Prayer that comes from the lips is of little value. It is prayer from the heart that can change the world.

In contrast to meaningless sacrifice of the wicked was the prayer of the upright man. It was not that prayer was more valuable than a sacrifice, but that it was the prayer of an upright man that was meaningful. James reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16

Sacrifice and prayer are not effective outside of the attitude and heart of the person who offers them. The behavior of the person praying matters. Prayer is a pleasing fragrance to God when it comes from the heart of the upright. The striking truth is that an hour of prayer is of little value when backed by a life that is not upright. God not only sees what we do, but He sees what is in the heart. He is unimpressed by our sacrifices or prayers if the one offering them is wicked. The prayers of a righteous person go farther with God than elaborate sacrifice.