Jonathan Edwards on Hypocrites and Prayer

I've just been reading through one of Jonathan Edward's (1703 - 1759) sermons with a young man. We talked about it briefly and prayed about it. We read "Hypocrites Deficient in the Duty of Prayer".

He has three points at the beginning
1. False Christians (hypocrites) call upon God for a time
2. After a while they stop private prayers
3. And he gives reasons why they do that

The reasons
1. False Christians never had the spirit of prayer given to them.
2. False Christians don't think they need anything from God
3. False Christians don't understand the force of God's commands for his people to watch and pray so that they will not fall into temptation
4. False Christians return to sinful practices which keep us from praying. Like Adam who hid from God when he knew he had done the wrong thing.
5. False Christians never counted the cost of perseverence.
6. False Christians don't value those kind means that God gives us to keep strong as Christians of which prayer is one of the most important.

If anyone wants to read through some Jonathan Edwards with me in a group at my church OR in an online discussion group - I would be count it a joy and a great honour and will make time for it.

God can't stand our prayers if ...

God will hear anyone's prayer to become a Christian, but he can't stand hypocrisy amongst those who claim to be his children. 1 Peter gives three (3) reasons God won't hear us when we ask for things (=pray) and one (1) reason we will not even be able to do it.

1. God hates men's prayers if they abuse or hurt their wives. You may be able to fool other people, but God will not be mocked.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder (lit. cut off) your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)

2. God blocks his ears if we aren't repentant. Festering sin matters more than we think.
He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:11-12)

3. God will not listen to those who are proud. He loves hearing the humble.
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7)

(from the other side) 4. We will not pray if we are not clear minded or lack self control.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. (1 Peter 4:7)

This is another motivation for Christian living. We have to fix up our lives so we can pray and so God will hear our prayers. Christ is NOT a safe place to hide our sin from God; he is only a safe place to confess our sins and hide in.