Meaningful prayer
AS WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF LENT let us bend our knees for “meaningful prayer”. The attitude that one has in God’s presence reflects one’s desire for God.
In Luke 18: 9-14, we see in the tax collector a vivid picture of a penitent sinner. The tax collector was so utterly remorseful of his state of sinfulness that we are told that he dared not look up to heaven; he smote his breast and pleaded with God to forgive him – “a sinner.” All this he declared in the presence of other worshippers. What courage! What humility! And Jesus says, “.. this man went home justified”.
Recognition of our sinfulness, seeking forgiveness and moving on to repentance, in the light of the Cross, is greatly emphasised during Lent. Perhaps, we could re-examine how seriously we take God’s call to “repent”. This warning is sounded throughout the Bible. The plea is to fear God; it is only when we hold God in awe and recognise His holiness that we obey, worship and serve Him.
Do we have the longing for a deep and meaningful communion with our Lord Jesus Christ similar to that He showed whenever He was in prayer? Do we make this our priority or does self come first? If it is the latter, let us repent for not worshipping our Lord and God with our entire being.
Jonah shouted out to the Ninevite people to repent of their sins [we note that the kinds of sins are not mentioned], otherwise they would be destroyed. They listened, believed God’s Word and obeyed; and because they repented, God immediately allowed them life.
So, like the tax collector in the parable, we too must have remorse for our sins; seek the forgiveness of a Holy God and repent. Our daily walk with Christ during this season of Lent will be truly meaningful when our time of prayer is devoted to meeting God.
“Abba, Father, let me be, Yours and Yours alone.
May my will forever be, evermore Your own.
Never let my heart grow cold, never let me go.
Abba, Father, let me be, Yours and Yours alone.”
The Rev