(Proverbs 15:8) The prayer of the upright pleases God.

We often envision God as being so transcendent and unknowable, that we see him as being static, rigid, and emotionless. We see God as a transcendent robot.

But this Proverb tells us that prayers of the righteous—those who are right with God and live a right lifestyle—please God. Our prayers bring joy to God. This is the similar pleasure we feel when our children or grandchildren communicate with us.

This Proverb is a little shocking, because most Christians have never understood our prayers as moving the emotions of God. However, it is not simply the words of our prayers that move God with pleasure.

Prayer is the expression of our hearts to God, not just babbling religious words. God does not just hear the words of our prayers, but he sees our hearts behind the words. Prayer is the expression of our hearts to God.

God experiences pleasure when our life-style matches our prayers. When we pray, it is a relational communication from our hearts to God’s heart.

If we have no relational connection with God, then our prayers are simply dead, religious words. As the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:9, “We make it our goal to please him.”

Think about your prayer life today.

Do you pray from your heart?

Do you pray out of a vibrant relationship with God?

When you pray, know that it moves God to pleasure and joy over you.