The Nugget:
Pro 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
My Comment:
There are many spiritual riches found throughout the Bible that you likely will only discover by making use of the links to this verse found in the cross references given for Proverbs 15:8.
It is encouraging to study the cross references to the key words the prayer of the upright as presented in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
the prayer. *Pro 15:29, Gen 18:32; Gen 20:17, 1Ch 21:26; *1Ch 29:17, 2Ch 33:18, 19, Job 16:17, Psa 17:1; +*Psa 19:14; +*Psa 141:2, Song 2:14, *Isa 45:19, Dan 10:12, Act 9:11; Act 10:4.
Proverbs 15:29
29 The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
King James Version
Reading the cross references for Proverbs 15:29 provides additional insight. I may share them in a subsequent post soon. The point is, despite how we may personally feel, God asserts in His word in the Bible that He most certainly is listening to our prayers.
Genesis 18:32
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.
King James Version
If you turn to the passage in Genesis where this account is given of Abraham interceding for his nephew Lot and his family in Sodom, you will read of this remarkable interchange between Abraham and God. Despite Abraham’s intercession and God’s promise, there were not even ten righteous persons to be found in Sodom. This may be a prudent warning of the power of the kind of sin Lot’s city of residence is noted for.
Genesis 20:17
17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
King James Version
Notice the remarkable character of Abraham and the power of his intercessory prayer for the divine healing of others.
1 Chronicles 21:26
26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
King James Version
King David is also remarkable for his prayers and the answer from heaven by fire he received.
1 Chronicles 29:17
17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
King James Version
Another remarkable prayer of David.
And so it is possible to learn from these remarkable instances and examples of the prayer of the righteous by following each cross reference given. To keep this post from becoming too long, I’ll focus on just some of the rest of the references given.
Psalms 19:14
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
King James Version
Yet another example of the prayer of David found in a very remarkable Psalm.
Daniel 10:12
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
King James Version
God heard the prayer of Daniel at the very instant he offered his prayer, though the evil powers of darkness did their best to delay God’s messenger’s effort to come directly with the answer.
Acts 9:11
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
King James Version
God was listening to the prayers of Saul of Tarsus as he prayed in his physical blindness that resulted from his encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.
Acts 10:4
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
King James Version
God heard and remembered the prayers of Cornelius and responded by sending an angel with the important message that ultimately resulted in Cornelius being the first Gentile convert to Christ.
These many examples demonstrate that God listens to and is delighted in every prayer of the upright made to Him.