Does God Answer a Sinners Prayer?

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” Hebrews: 4:16 (NIV)

Prayer can be a scary thing. I know for me, I have had worry about my prayers being heard and answered by God. Like a lot of you out there, alcoholic, addicted or just your garden variety sinner, I have implored God and begged God to help me, to take my affliction, my sin away. I claim to believe but I worry. Being a chronic backslider doesn’t help.

Does God hear and answer my prayers? A friend of mine recently told me that he didn’t think God hears the prayers of a backslider, a sinner. Man, this has a guy like me worried. I never feel I measure up. I always have that sin on my heart. If God does not hear my prayers, why bother then? What good is it?

Until the answer becomes clearer, I will approach the throne with as much confidence as I can muster.

Recreating Yourself

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Being a chronic relapser, I had no clue what this verse meant. If you are anything like me, you prayed the same prayers over and over..."Oh God help me to never do it again...I am so tired..." Unanswered prayers? Not likely. The missing part was me, me not doing my part. How many times has God answered my prayer and I just didn't see, didn't heed His warning, His rebuke, His gentle help.

God is there to help us, all of us. You don't need to be in my boat to need Him. In my case, a decision to place my trust in him has calmed the waters. Turn today to Psalm 34 and read it in its entirety.

If you are wondering, my prayer for the week has been.."Take me Lord in all my inequities and make me who You want me to be."