Lacking Confidence to Pray? (part 1)

When we sense we are living in obedience to God it is easier to pray with confidence and come boldly to the throne of grace.

But what should I do when I don’t have this sense?

The first thing to do is take inventory and ask God if there is unconfessed sin.  Remember sin is simply not trusting God but rather depending on myself or something/someone else and going my own way.

As God brings specific things to mind, immediately confess (agree with God) they are sin and ask God to help you turn away from them.  (Prov. 28:13)

God is always eager and ready to forgive because of what Jesus has done on our behalf.

Psalm 86:5  For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.

He longs for us to confess sins, including our lack of trust, and reaffirm our commitment to Him.  And part of obedience is to believe His promise to forgive.

I John 1:9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What about all the sins we don’t recall or are just too numerous to name?  Look at the word ‘all’ in the last part of the promise.  As we confess the sins God clearly brings to mind, He cleanses us from ALL the rest.  HALLELUIA, WHAT A SAVIOR!

And when we receive God’s forgiveness, we stand before Him as though we never sinned – totally blameless and innocent, covered with the righteousness of Jesus!

But what do you do when you’ve confessed all sin that God clearly brings to mind and you still have a vague sense of guilt and shame; there’s still a cloud of doubt and general feeling of sinfulness and failure hanging over your head robbing you of confidence in your prayers?  More on that in Lacking Confidence to Pray (part 2).

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