Here are two prayers that take great courage.  Most people, when things get desperate in their life, will pray to God for immediate help, however, only the bravest people will pray these two powerful prayers.

The first one is a request, prayed by King David of Israel, for God to shine His light into his heart and show him where he was wrong.  It is easy to sincerely believe that we are morally and spiritually okay, when in reality we are a mess.

David said: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

David also prayed:  “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” (Psalm 141:4)

Do you have the courage to open your heart to God’s search light and to let Him show you your offensive thoughts and deeds?  Or do you prefer denial?

I challenge you to muster the courage to pray these prayers.  If you do, you will be amazed and overwhelmed by the hidden sin that God will show you in your own heart.  Try it, if you’re brave enough.

After writing this post, I picked up a book and found this quotation:  “We, being hard-hearted, do not wish to have our consciences pricked, not even a little, nor to change for the better the evil habits in which we are bound.”  –from The Life of Saint Theognius