Does God hear and answer every prayer? What is the connection between "righteousness" and answered prayer? 

Main Points:

1. The word “righteous” – being in a right relationship with God.  We are intimidated by this.  The word “righteous” scares us because we know our own tendency to sin, but we need to understand that we receive our “righteousness” from Christ.  Romans says, “our own righteousness is like filthy rags.”

2. While we cannot earn our righteous standing, we seek after a righteous lifestyle practically. We pursue righteousness when we pursue the character of Christ and desire holiness more than fleshly indulgence. We avoid the temptation to become self-righteous when we understand that true righteousness begins with godly humility.

3. Remember, righteousness cannot be achieved apart from receiving the grace of God, but once we are saved, we are called to live a righteous life. As we do, God will honor our prayers with His response.

Today’s Scripture Verses:

“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18 NLT)

“If a man shut his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.” (Proverbs 21:13)

“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7)

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3)

”The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

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