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 compared himself to the other person who was also praying and gave thanks that he was much better than that man since the man was known in the community to be guilty of all sorts of wrongdoing.  The other person, who admitted he was guilty of wrongdoing, 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 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 them all.  In many places along the way it is easier to make a list of what others did to us and much more difficult to take responsibility and seek forgiveness for our part in the actions that caused harm.  Comparing our actions with another’s actions to minimize our destructive behaviour will never heal our hearts nor restore our relationship with God. 

Only a humble acknowledgement of our own shortcomings before God and seeking His help in removing them will get us to the place of peace we long to experience.

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

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