Let us hear what the Lord will speak for he will speak to his people.  Open our ears that we may be in your presence fully.

I love the Lord, because he hears and answers my prayers.  Because he bends down and listens.  I will pray as long as I have breath! 

Psalm 116:1-2

Today I’m lunching with a friend I thought was lost to me forever. It’s been years, and a lot of water has gone down the creek, but here we are.

I’ve carried a deep sorrow in my heart for all those years we were separated. This morning I read:

“ Experiences of deep sorrow can spread a shadow over the face of our lives. The darkness of grief and pain can leave us feeling spiritually paralyzed and virtually unable to pray. Our minds and hearts are consumed, and we don’t even know what we ought to pray.”

In this case I had a pretty good idea what I ought to be praying. I knew I needed to forgive, and ask for forgiveness. But, as is so often the case in broken relationships, taking that first step takes courage, especially when you know you’ve been, at least partially, wrong.

Maybe the old homily, “time heals all wounds” is true. I know from experience before there can truly be healing, even with time, there must be forgiveness. But I honestly believe forgiveness does not happen by itself. Before there can be healing forgiveness there must also be prayer.

The quote continues:

“What a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit can interpret perfectly even the groanings of our souls. When sorrow builds up in your heart and words stick in your throat, even your sighs and groanings become, with the Spirit’s help, eloquent prayers offered to your heavenly Father.”

…the Holy Spirit helps us with our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray.  But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:26-28

Prayer works. And the Father never intended for his kids to live in deep sorrow or unforgiveness.

He hears and answers my prayers.

Because he bends down and listens.  I will pray as long as I have breath! And, I will ask for and bestow forgiveness.

and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation

Luke 11:4