3 ‘Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?’ Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers . . . 6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:3, 6-8, ESV)
This passage deals with the problem of vain ritual versus heartfelt action. While the Nation prayed and fasted their fasting was ineffective. The reason was that it was empty. As evidenced by their conduct the attitude of their hearts did not line up with their ritual fasting. While they sought God to answer their prayers, they did not seek the things that were at the heart of God.
How often do our prayers become vain ritual rather than something that is from the heart? This can happen in a couple ways. First, it can happen when we pray with no consideration of approaching the throne of grace. This often happens in a corporate prayer environment when one prays a written prayer just because it is the thing to do. It can also happen when it is the person’s turn to pray in the group and they pray for the others to hear rather than to the Lord. This kind of thing happens often when we ask the blessing over our food saying a rote prayer.
Second, this happens when our prayers are self-centered. In this case, we focus on our wants and desires rather than the glories of the heavenly, the sovereign purposes and plans of God. These kinds of prayers are self-serving and aimed at pleasing our fleshly appetites. They miss the will of God.
The third type of vain prayer has to do with the prevailing actions that characterize the person praying. While this is akin to the self-centered prayer previously mentioned, the problem goes deeper. Here the person’s character is a mismatch to his or her prayer life. That is the problem presented in this passage of Isaiah. Let me give you an example in the extreme case for clarity.
Imagine a person who is the vilest person you could imagine. He uses the Lord’s name in vane as a matter of course. We could never imagine this blasphemous person praying with any positive effect. The reason is that his blasphemous language would not mix with prayer. From where does this language come? It comes from the heart, the same source from which come all actions come. Those that wallow in the corruption of the flesh can have no power to approach the heavenly. Their prayer is an empty ritual.
What is the solution? How do we ensure our prayer life is powerful and effective? How do we ensure that we do not have prayer that is vain ritual? First, we should examine our actions and attitudes to see if they align with the heart of God. Second, if we find that our hearts are misaligned with God we should repent. Third, we should focus on the Lord when we pray, not fretting about what others think about our prayers. We are not out to impress others. Fourth, we should consider the purpose of prayer in joining the will of God. When we join with God’s purposes in our life and in our prayers, we will have powerful and effective prayer. The passage in Isaiah says it,” Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard
Renewing the Heart 