THE PRAYER THAT MAKES IT ALL RIGHT

Jesus told the story of two men who went to church to pray.  One stood proud and named all his accomplishments.  He then compared himself to the other person who was praying and gave thanks that he was much better than that person since the other man was known in the community to be guilty of all sorts of wrongdoing.  The other man who was praying confessed to God that he was guilty of wrongdoing.  He hung his head in shame, opened his heart to God and confessed His sin asking God for mercy and forgiveness.  Jesus said it was the person who knew He had sinned and asked for forgiveness that went home that day in right relationship with God.  (see Luke 18:9-14 for the story)

As we work our 12-step program we are asked to do things like: make a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves; become willing to have God remove our defects of character; make a list of all persons we have harmed and become willing to make amends to each of them.  For many of us it is easier to make a list of those who harmed us and much more difficult to take responsibility and seek forgiveness for our part in actions that hurt others.  Comparing our actions with those of another while seeking to minimize our damaging behaviour will never heal our hearts nor restore our relationship with God. 

Be humble in front of the Lord and he will lift you up.  Pride brings a person low. But those whose spirits are low will be honored. The Lord is honest and good. He teaches sinners to walk in his ways. He shows those who aren’t proud how to do what is right. He teaches them his ways.  (James 4:10, Proverbs 29:23, Psalm 25:8-9 NIRV)

Only a humble acknowledgement of our own shortcomings before God and asking Him for His help to remove them will get us to the place of peace we long to experience.  We also need to pray and ask God to help us forgive those who have harmed us and then release those persons to God asking Him to work in their lives to bring them to the pathway of peace.

Prayer:  Loving God, Be merciful to me a sinner and forgive my lawless deeds.  With Your precious blood, wash me clean from every evil thing I have done. Make me pure as the driven snow. Bring me joy and gladness as I stand on the truth of Your word that says my sins and my lawless deeds You will remember no more.  Amen