⁸ If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. ⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. ¹⁰ If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1 John 1:8-10

Dear God, I just realized I have a funeral to attend today and I haven’t prayed for the widower who lost his wife. I’m sure they were married over 60 years since she was 89. I also know she loved and he loves you. And they always seemed to love each other. He has to be in so much pain right now, and I’ve just kind of overlooked it. I’m sorry for that insensitivity. I’m even dressed for the funeral right now, but I’m just now thinking to pray for this man. For his comfort. For his peace. That your Holy Spirit will attend to him. Be glorious and somehow transcend his situation. Not that he won’t mourn. Of course he will. He needs to. But that he will simply be comforted in this loss. Help him to feel your love and the love of his family.

I’m always amazed at people who are better at intercessory prayer than I am. Not that they’re better at it than me. I mean, I’m lousy at it. But the people who are good at it amaze me. I have some life situations that are painful, and I have a couple of people who tell me they pray for those situations every day. Really? People have me and my concerns on a prayer list every day? That’s amazing!

I was talking with a man last night who is curious about you. He wants to know more. Another man and I talked to him about you. Explained a little. Gave him some information. We tried not to be threatening or condescending, but to simply open you up to him and offer you to him. I think he’s on a path to you now. I want to pray for him. Don’t let his heart be the path. Don’t let it be the rock. Don’t let it be the soil with thorns. Help the seeds you planted last night to find good soil, come into his life to transform him, and then transform the world through him. As it relates to this passage, help him to simply repent, accept your love and forgiveness, and then follow you. Show me and others around him how to help him do it.

Father, there’s so much I still have to learn. So much I still do so poorly. I am sorry. I repent before you too. I know I have sin. I am not calling you a liar. You know my sin, even better than I do. I offer you my repentance, my humility before you and others, and my sincere effort to give you all the glory in my life.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen