If God taught a class, “Prayer 101,” and I was his student, here is the report card I think He would give me. The card reflects the four major areas of prayer along with His note of encouragement I think He’d share with me:

PRAISE: B (I know your heart and see that you appreciate many of my attributes. I’d like to see you spend more time verbalizing those affirmations to me. Your love language is “words of affirmation,” and so is mine!)

THANKSGIVING: A- (You are consistent in thanking me daily for the many blessings I’ve given you. Every now and then I catch you wishing you had more, but remember you already have more than enough. Exercise contentment by desiring what you already have.)

PETITIONS: A+ (You are bold and confident in your asking, and I love that! You should consider pursuing a doctorate in this!!)

CONFESSION OF SIN: C- (I see your pain when you grieve me. I know your heart breaks when that happens. It’s your least favorite part of prayer because it’s hard. No one likes to talk about their failures, but I promise you will feel better if you will more openly acknowledge your sins to me.)

Photo Courtesy @ flickr.com/Jan

I don’t know what your report card would look like, but we all struggle with admitting wrongdoing. Sin is ugly. We fail God on a daily basis through acts of omission and commission. God knows our sin problem, yet we have a hard time bringing it to Him.

Why is it so hard to tell God “I’m sorry?” Even when we know we’ve acted wrongly, something inside blocks us from apologizing to make amends. More often, that something is a set of beliefs that act as excuses. Dr. Athena Staik, a psychologist, offers three common beliefs that create resistance to confessing:

1. I’ll be seen as a bad person and not appreciated for the good things I’ve done. This excuse focuses our attention on our fears, particularly the fear of feeling like we don’t matter or contribute value in our relationships. We are all wired with a yearning to feel like a good and worthwhile person, but only our actions are hurtful, not our fundamental selves. This is a vital distinction. When our actions cause some harm, the ball is in our court to restore a sense of trust and safety in the relationship.
2. I’ll have to feel uncomfortable emotions, such as shame, guilt and fear. This excuse misdirects us to focus on avoiding pain rather than identifying the problem. We need to own our part in sin and what action we can take to bring resolution. It makes sense that we don’t like feeling vulnerable. We don’t want to feel uncomfortable emotions when we upset someone by our actions. But these feelings tell us we care, and that’s a good thing. It’s a source of information that, if we’re open, can grow our understanding of the situation.
3. If I admit I was wrong, I will seem weak and vulnerable in their eyes and mine. It’s the other way around. It takes a lot of courage and strength to own one’s actions. We have to care enough to make changes to prevent repeating the wrongful action —to even say those words! It grows courage in the process, and more confidence.¹

Among the most powerful words to say in healing our relationships are “I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me. How can I make it up to you?” The same is true in our relationship to God.

Photo Courtesy @ flickr.com/.kaldol<3

Solomon understood this. He had just completed the task of building the Temple of God. Knowing the Israelites propensity to sin, he asks God in advance to hear their prayers. When they seek Him to repent, Solomon pleads with God to forgive them. If you’re willing to take a few minutes, I think you will find encouragement in the excerpts below. I want you to see that God wants to forgive us every time we ask.

Solomon’s Prayer for the Israelite Congregation (The Message translation) 

“Listen to the prayers that I pray in this place. And listen to your people Israel when they pray at this place. Listen from your home in heaven and when you hear, forgive. (2 Chron 6:20-21)

“When someone hurts a neighbor and promises to make things right, and then comes and repeats the promise before your Altar in this Temple, listen from heaven and act; judge your servants, making the offender pay for the offense and set the offended free, dismissing all charges.” (2 Chron 6:22-23)

“When your people Israel are beaten by an enemy because they’ve sinned against you, but then they pray at this place, acknowledging your rule in prayers desperate and devout in this Temple, listen from your home in heaven; forgive the sin of your people Israel, return them to the land you gave to them and their ancestors.” (2 Chron 6:24-25)

“When the skies shrivel up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, but then they pray at this place, acknowledging your rule and quit their sins because you have scourged them; listen from your home in heaven, forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Then start over with them; train them to live right and well; send rain on the land you gave as inheritance to your people.” (2 Chron 6:26-27)

“When they sin against you – and they certainly will; there’s no one without sin! – and in anger you turn them over to the enemy and they are taken off captive to the enemy’s land, whether far or near, but then repent in the country of their captivity and pray with changed hearts in their exile, “We’ve sinned; we’ve done wrong; we’ve been most wicked,” and they turn back to you heart and soul in the land of the enemy who conquered them, and pray to you toward their homeland, the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you chose, and this Temple I have built to the honor of your Name, listen from your home in heaven to their prayers desperate and devout; do what is best for them. Forgive your people who have sinned against you.” (2 Chron 6:36-39)

God’s Response to Solomon’s Prayer (NIV translation)

God hears Solomon’s prayer and assures him in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

God wants to forgive us and free us in our spirit. We have to be willing to approach Him with our confessions accompanied by a heart of repentance. He wants to hear, “I’m sorry. I was wrong. How can I make this better?” 

Let’s consider spending fifteen minutes a day to bring our confessions to God. Let’s turn off anything that has a screen (TVs, computers, iPads, iPhones, etc) and find a place of quietness. With our journal and pen, let’s record whatever the Spirit brings to mind for that day and then confess it to God. He will forgive us unconditionally. “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) 

What is your experience with confessing sins? Do you have any thoughts or insights you’d like to share in the Comments Box below?

Blessings,

Lee Ann

¹ “Why Is It So Hard to Say “I’m Sorry” In Relationships?” by Dr. Athena Staik. Article found at PsychCentral