Psalm 65:2-3 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.

Here we have what are perhaps the two most attractive things about God: He hears prayer and He forgives sin. Prayer is a feature of every religion, but it makes a huge difference when the object of that prayer is alive and listening! David knew this so well that He used that characteristic of God as a title, addressing Him by it. It only stands to reason that all mankind would gather to such a God. On top of that, God forgives sin. There is a world of difference between forgiveness and indulgence. God doesn’t excuse sin, but He forgives those who are repentant on the basis of His Son’s sacrifice on the cross. David didn’t know about Jesus and the cross, even though He wrote prophetically about it in remarkable detail in Psalm 22, but he knew from painful experience that God does indeed forgive sin. Psalm 51 is the strongest expression of that. However, forgiveness means nothing to someone who isn’t aware of their guilt. David had a tender heart, and that made a huge difference. When we feel self-sufficient we don’t bother to pray, so God allows circumstances in our lives to nudge us toward Him. God is never mean, but He knows that our life on earth is to prepare us for eternity, and that means developing a relationship with Him. You can’t have a real relationship with someone without spending time with them, and that’s what prayer is all about. When we realize how much we need God, and that He really is listening, then we will grow into a rich relationship with Him through prayer, both speaking to and listening to Him.

In a very real sense this is the story of my life. I had the huge initial advantage of growing up in a home where prayer was as natural as breathing, but it took some real bumps in the road before I chose to resist the various obstacles and distractions in order to establish a lifestyle of prayer. As a pastor I want others to experience that lifestyle without having to go through what I did. It seems to come down to the tenderness of their heart. Some take to it immediately, but far more just dabble in it, or try it by fits and starts. I’m not to put them down, but remembering my own history I am to encourage them and stand with them in prayer, seeking to teach them to rely on the Holy Spirit in everything.

Father, thank You for listening. Thank You for caring. Thank You for forgiving. Thank You for the awareness of how totally dependent on You I really am, and for the peaceful assurance that is not a bad thing. Thank You for carrying me through the day yesterday. Thank You that You will carry me through the day today. I ask for strength and anointing that I may not only fulfill my functions, but do them with joy, as unto You, for the blessing of all with whom I interact, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!