If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 God is a forgiving God. God extends the gift of forgiveness to us, asking us to receive it as a gift. Not glibly, as if nothing has happened. Not proudly as if we have earned this gift. But with godly sorrow and humility we are asked to receive the gift of … [Read more...] about Receiving Forgiveness as Prayer

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:5 Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount. Luke 19:8 A life of prayer includes acts of repentance and making amends. To repent is to … [Read more...] about Repenting and Making Amends as Prayer

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it, you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17 Prayer is being broken-hearted and contrite before God. The more we become aware of our shortcomings and character flaws, the more our hearts open in empathy and sorrow for … [Read more...] about Having a Broken and Contrite Heart as Prayer

I said, O Lord, have mercy on me; heal me, for I have sinned against you. Psalm 41:4 Prayer is sometimes confession. It is the acknowledgment of our short comings, our missing the mark, our moral failings. Confession is also the acknowledgment of our longing to change, our longing to be healed and our longing to be set free to love God and others. When we confess to God, we throw … [Read more...] about Confession as Prayer

Search me, O God, and know my heart;        test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,        and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 We are often blind to our own failings. We do not see our prideful motives or greedy ways. We do not understand how our choices and behaviors are hurting others. We may not even be aware of the fears and … [Read more...] about Taking Inventory as Prayer

Have mercy on me, O God,        according to your unfailing love;        according to your great compassion        blot out my transgressions.  Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;        you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51: 1,6 Prayer is not a performance. It is not an attempt to impress God. Prayer is honest communication. Transparency is the cornerstone of … [Read more...] about Honesty as Prayer

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and “sinners”? On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I … [Read more...] about Going to the Doctor as Prayer