A Prayer Life that Touches God

Luke 7:39

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

The Pharisees were upset at the woman who anointed the feet of Jesus with the ointment from an alabaster box. The Pharisees said, what manner of woman this is that toucheth him…” They were saying without realizing it that her prayer touched Jesus.

Oh, how we need people today who have prayers that touch God. When I talk about the word “touch,” I am talking about a prayer that moves or affects God's heart. When I am touched by something, I am moved or affected by it. When I look at this lady and what she did, I find several things that moved God or touched His heart to answer her prayer. Let me share several things this lady did that you must apply to your prayer life if you want your prayers to touch God.

First, she realized she was a sinner. She understood she did not deserve to be able to touch Jesus because she was a sinner. When you understand the privilege you have to talk to God in prayer is when your prayer will move God. To know that you are a sinner and that God would even listen to you, it will move you to be a very humble child praying to a mighty Father.

Second, she invested in God. The alabaster box was often known as a life’s investment. This lady invested her all in God, and that investment in God is what touched Him. You can't expect your prayers to touch God when you have no investment in God. Let's just make it very clear; if you are not tithing and giving offerings, your prayers will do little to touch God. A person who gives financially will be a person who has given their heart to God, and the greatest investment that God can have from his children is their heart. God doesn't need your money as much as he needs your heart, and the only way He can have your heart is through your finances.

Third, she invested with tears. James 5:16 says, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Tears always move God to answer a prayer. Psalm 126:5-6 tells us that those who sow in tears shall reap joy. If your prayer has not moved you to become fervent in prayer, then why do you think your prayer will move God to answer it. A fervent prayer will always touch God to do something to help. I believe one of the greatest reasons prayers go unanswered is because there is no fervency in them.

Fourth, she set God aside in her life. You will notice that she anointed the feet of Jesus. An anointing is always setting something aside as sacred. If God is not sacred enough in your life to put Him first, you can be assured that your prayer life will not touch God. You will have little impact in your prayers if you're not willing to have a sacred time to walk with God daily, and if you're not willing to set aside the services on Sunday and Wednesday in your church for God.

Fifth, she was concerned with the heartbeat of God. You notice that she anointed the feet of Jesus. The feet are always symbolic of soul winning. The soul winner will always have a more productive prayer life because they are invested in the heartbeat of God, which is reaching the souls of mankind. If you want your prayers to touch God, I would greatly advise you to get involved in reaching the lost for Jesus Christ.