Mark Yaconelli says: Like an orphan, our prayer often waits to be noticed and held within our anger, our depression, our loneliness, and unmet longing. These broken places within us are irresistible to God, Why not place your hand over your heart and ask, “Heart, what is your prayer?” Then, without judgement, listen.
We so often think that we have to impress God by sorting out our life before coming to Him. He knows about the anger, fear, loneliness, bitterness in my heart and wants to be invited in there – to penetrate all of my hurt with his love and grace.
I can therefore pray with confidence and receive the healing that Christ brings. Only then will I be able to reach out to others who are suffering from anger, bitterness, fear, depression, and unmet longing – and share God’s grace with them. When I have let the sunrise of God’s compassion and love come over me, I can go out into a broken world and freely share true love and peace with others still struggling to “earn” that which is unmerited favour.
Let us 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