The difference…and how it affects your prayers

by Kitty Chappell

“I just learned my beautiful granddaughter has moved in with her boyfriend,” the brokenhearted woman lamented. Lips quivering, she added, “Why are so many young people, brought up in the church, choosing to live in sin?”

It’s a sadly valid question…for young and old alike. Maybe it’s because they don’t think what they’re doing is sin – or, more precisely, don’t understand there’s a difference between being righteous and religious.

A closer examination of both, and what they mean to how you conduct your life, also shows how that difference significantly impacts your prayers for yourself and the nation.

Righteousness and Religiosity

“Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:9) Because of Abraham’s strong faith and trust in the Lord, he was also called righteous. Therefore, righteousness is imparted to you from God and you obey Him and believe and trust Him in every area of your life.

Jesus also spoke about righteousness in Matthew 5:20: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” What was wrong with the Jewish leaders’ behavior? Despite their appearance of doing all the right things, Christ knew their motives. He called them hypocrites, appearing righteous, but inside they were full of greed, self-indulgence and lawlessness. To paraphrase Jesus’ words, “Don’t look at these leaders and their religiosity as your example of righteous behavior.”

What is your model for righteous living? The Bible. It proclaims and reveals truth. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (II Timothy 3:16-17) That’s why you need to study the Bible and behave according to its directives.

Who is your example of righteous living? Jesus Christ, who doesn’t just speak the truth, He is truth. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (John 15:9) That’s why you need to walk with Christ daily – reading Scripture, communicating with Him in prayer, and constantly seeking His direction.

Who can help you live righteously? The Holy Spirit. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) That’s why you need to heed His guidance – thinking and acting as He leads.

God has provided everything necessary for you to live righteously not just religiously. Question is: Are you? Maybe your struggle doesn’t stem from flagrant immoral living but from hidden anger and unforgiveness. Perhaps you have resentment because you suffer physically, emotionally or financially due to wrong choices made by others. Either way, your fellowship with God is broken, your hope is stolen, and your prayers are robbed of power.

Tell it to Jesus – He understands. He suffered the ultimate pain due to mankind’s wrong choices…and can help you live righteously and overcome the consequences of those choices that hold you back, whether they were made by you or by others.

The impact on your prayers

The effectiveness of your prayers depends not on how many times you attend church, what you do there, or how much money you donate. Nor does it depend upon God’s goodness – He is good whether you pray or not. It depends upon your choice to live righteously. James 5:16 exhorts, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power.”

Praying should be your most enjoyable experience of the day…a sweet communication between you and your loving Heavenly Father where the two of you get to know each other better as you trust Him for your needs and those of the nation. The deeper this communion, the more righteous your attitude and actions become, adding might to your prayers. This week:

• Pray for strength to let go of all feelings of blame and victimization.
• Pray that God’s Spirit will guide your every thought and action.
• Pray that the joy of your salvation is restored.

New to the Presidential Prayer Team writing team, Kitty Chappell is an international speaker, award-winning author, and a childhood domestic violence overcomer. After enjoying a 47 year marriage, she is now a widow and lives in Chandler, AZ.