Introduction
Before getting into the meaning of Proverbs 15:29, here’s different Bible translations:
King James Version
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
American Standard Version
Jehovah is far from the wicked; But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
World English Bible version
Yahweh is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 Meaning & Commentary
The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. – Proverbs 15:29 (ESV)
Although the book of Proverbs was written before Jesus’ time, we can still take many lessons from it and apply them to our life with Christ. This scripture in Proverbs 15:29 says that The Lord is far (or distant) from the wicked – however, He (God) hears the prayer of the righteous. The first ‘step’ into a place of intimacy with God is to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In doing so, we are reconciled back to God, and it puts us in ‘right standing’ with Him: Romans 5:10 – For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
Furthermore, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, it opens a channel of communication between God and us. We can then pray to God, fully expectant that He will hear us and be attentive to answer our prayers. Jesus told this to His disciples when He was with them on earth: John 14:13 – Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If we have not accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we cannot expect God to hear and answer our prayers: John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus opens the way for us to fellowship with the Father and have our prayers heard and answered. Although we have an open ‘channel’ to God, there are still certain principles to answered prayer. Furthermore, we are also responsible for walking in righteousness, although we have been reconciled back to God! Applying these principles, we should expect answered prayer as the norm!
Application
How can we apply Proverbs 15:29 to our lives?
We are just one prayer away from reaching out to God. Whatever we need, God is ready and willing to answer our prayer: Romans 10:13 – For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Furthermore, The Bible reminds us in the book of Acts that God is actually very close to each of us (Just a prayer away): Acts 17:27 – that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.
There are numerous principles to answered prayer found in God’s word, and we will look at some of the most important ones here. Firstly, praying in line with God’s word: James 4:3 – You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. When we ask out of line with God’s word, we cannot expect our prayer to be answered. However, when we know God’s word and will for our lives, we can pray in line with His word and expect results.
Secondly, when our relationship with God is strong, and we are connected to God as our source, we have confidence that as we abide in Christ and are surrendered to His will and His plans, we will receive answers to our prayers: John 15:7 – If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Thirdly, we must be consistent in prayer, as it is not a ‘one and done’ activity. It is something that we need to continually press into: Luke 11:9 – And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Prayer needs a tenacious mindset to not only ask once but keep on asking. Likewise, with seeking and knocking, we need to keep on seeking and keep on knocking until we see our prayers answered!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the sacrifice of Your son, Jesus – who has opened the way to fellowship with You and answered prayer. Help me recognize where I have been asking amiss, and help me to align my prayer life with Your word and Your will. I ask that You create in me a tenacious, never give up mentality to press into answered prayer. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Amen!
