First Love

First Love

The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. Psalm 34:15

IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, God answers the prayers of those whose hearts are his and want to do the right thing. In the New Testament, God answers the prayers of those who believe in Jesus. Is there a difference? Perhaps in theological nuances, there is. But practically, those who believe in Jesus are also those whose hearts are his and want to live righteously. It goes against the Christian grain to live independently of his love and desires. In the Old Testament and the New, faithfulness and faith are inextricably linked.

Religious systems have often turned this into a reward system—those who behave get their prayers answered. And while Scripture mentions rewards, it’s never in the context of earning merit or God’s favor. Prayers are answered when we align our hearts with God, believe his words, and seek his face in all our pursuits. If there were ever a formula for prayer (though there isn’t), that would come close to it. It’s true in any age.

Far too many Christians have tried to seek God’s favor without also seeking his face. We’ve aimed for the blessings over the Blesser, the gifts over the Giver, the goods over the highest Good. We’ve sought presents more than presence, and that’s a problem. Prayer is meant to be part of a deep, abiding relationship that also includes adoration, confession, gratitude, heart-to-heart talks, conversations about meaning and purpose, and desires to serve well. If we pray without love for God, we risk trying to use him for our own purposes. Even then, he sometimes answers. But he doesn’t promise to. He saves his promises for those who have gone deeper than asking for favors.

Set your heart on God above all. Ask freely, but make asking the smaller portion of your prayers rather than the beginning, middle, and end of your conversations with him. Let your love for him show up in your words, attitudes, and actions. His ears and heart will be open to your cries for help—and just about anything else you want to ask.

Let us make God the beginning and end of our love, for he is the fountain from which all good things flow and into him alone they flow back.