Matthew 15:8 This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Having a great choir is good, and having pipe organs or your favorite Hammond B3, could add a whole lot to a worship service, and congregants could sing the praises of God until the roof is blown off, and yet, if there is no obedience, coupled together with praise, the Scriptures say it amounts to nothing. Again, prayer for us, as Christians is a must, and we do encourage everyone, both believers and persons who have not yet believed, to pray as never before.
But prayer without obedience, or without a person intending to obey God, amounts to minus zero, for as was stated before, obedience to God is the basis of all true worship. In fact, there are times when one might be praying long and hard about some issue or problem, and for some unknown reason the answer just seems to be evasive, or not forth coming.
The problem could be some cherished sin that may be interfering with a person’s worship, and, unless it is diligently sought out and confessed, true worship wouldn’t be happening. Especially could this be the case if one deliberately tries to hide any known sin which is a violation of God’s law.
Psalms 78: 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. 36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!