“In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.” Matthew 6:14-15 MSG

I believe that prayer is an exchange, not just dialog. We can’t download onto God and leave. Thats like having a discussion with only one person talking, never giving the other person a chance to express how they feel.

Many marriages in the world today operate like this and wonder why they’re failing. I call that, selfishness! When I feel my opinion matters more, I devalue the person I’m talking to. If I’m unwilling to listen, I’m unwilling to learn. I’m not always right, even though I may think I am. I need to hear what God has to say. I need to see things the way He sees them, but how can I if I’m the only one talking and I only see part of it?

I’ve seen people want something so badly that they refuse to listen to ANYONE else. They’ve made their minds up that its what they want, they turn their back on the church, the pastor, their leaders and marriages, all for the sake of what they want. 2 years later, they’re miserable, but too proud to admit they made a mistake, they refuse to return, to humble themselves and ask forgiveness.  So they remain stuck in the rut of self deception and sadly, the Deceiver keeps them from receiving everything they need from God.

I want more then that! I want to sit in God’s presence and ask if I’m wrong. I want Him to be honest with me, to correct me, reprove me so that I may be quick to ask forgiveness, to humble myself and say, ‘I’m so sorry!’ I pray as David in Psalm 51, “Have pity on me, O God, in keeping with your mercy. In keeping with your unlimited compassion, wipe out my rebellious acts.” I fall on the Rock of my salvation even though it bruises me as I do, those marks will heal only as I obey.