This post strongly reminds me of these words:

"Your new moons and appointed festivals my soul hates; they have become a burden to me, I am weary of bearing them.

When you stretch out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you, even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood." (Italics mine)

Isaiah 1: 14, 15, NRSV

How much business do we have thinking God hears our prayers unless and until we follow God's instructions? "Wash yourselves; cleanse yourselves; remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow." Isaiah 1:16, 17 NRSV