Your point reminds me of Peter’s warning to husbands treating our wives correctly, otherwise our prayers go unheard, and of Jesus’ saying that if we’re at the altar, about to present our gift to God, and there remember that a brother has something against us, we should go be reconciled, then come back and offer the gift.
I think you’re on to something–again, Scot.

Hmmm….what I have found recently is that my prayers have to be about having right relationship with others. In other words, I need God’s help to even get into right relationship because I’ve so allowed anger and bitterness to take hold, that only His Spirit can help me overcome that so that I can be in right relationship with others.

T,
Don’t forget the Lords Prayer and the explanation – For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Maybe our problem is our image of fishing “for men” – one hook connected to one line connected to one fisherman. A vertical connection.

RJS,
Yes. More and more over the last several years, and Scot’s been a significant part of this, I’m convinced that the thesis here (linking horizontal reconciliation to vertical) is real and deep and throughout the biblical witness.
The OT: no more sacrifices, I want you to be just and merciful; here’s the ‘fast’ I want . . .; ignoring the poor = ignoring God; lending to the poor = lending to God; etc.
Jesus: Whatever you’ve done to the least . . .; Blessed are the merciful; Whatever measure you use . . .; “Salvation has come to this house today”; the Jesus Creed; etc.
John: No love for others means any ‘love’ for God is a lie
Etc., etc.
This message is everywhere and often in the scriptures.

I feel assured that whatever words form my prayers, God knows my heart and can translate the prayer to what is proper. I think that’s part of how prayer forms us. Otherwise I get discouraged, knowing my prayers can’t be right enough.

Scot,
This really is a powerful sentence:
Instead, I’m wondering today if it is not more “when you are in proper relations with those in the messianic community then your prayers will be heard because you are in tune with what God is doing in this world.”
This could be unpacked and create much healthy discussion at most any church. Thanks.