how NOT to make your prayers an abomination

Listen to the words of this Proverb:

Proverbs 28:9
מֵסִ֣יר אָ֭זְנוֹ מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ תּוֹרָ֑ה גַּֽם־תְּ֜פִלָּת֗וֹ תּוֹעֵבָֽה׃
("he who turns away His hear from listening to the Law even His prayer is an abomination.")

Sometimes we overlook verses such as this one. The inspired Word of God so clearly says here that if a man does not obey (מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ) the Law of God (Torah, תּוֹרָ֑ה) that even his prayer is an abomination.

An abomination (תּוֹעֵבָֽה) can refer to a host of things in the OT—all of which are completely wicked, loathful, and heinous in the eyes of God. Ezekiel 16:25 uses this word to refer to their harlotries with other God and how it is an abomination in the eyes of God. Amos 6:8 uses this word when the Lord says that he hates the arrogance of Israel. Psalm 14:1 says that the wicked/fools are those that commit abominable deeds.

How amazing is it to consider that prayer could be considered an "abomination" if the Law of God is not obeyed. The word מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ refers to one who hears and obeys that which he has heard.

Simple application of this text: if a person does not listen and obey the Law of God (as found in the Word of God), then his prayers are simply abominable in God's sight.

Thus, if you don't obey, then don't pray.

Here is a parallel in the NT from the Apostle Paul:

Romans 8:7-8 — because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.