NACR Daily Meditation for Monday, Dec 1, 2003

1 Dec 2003 08:00:01 -0000

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NACR Daily Meditation for Monday, Dec 1, 2003

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Let us then approach the 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

Many of us find it very difficult to feel confident in intimate relationships.
If we learned early in life that the people most important to us were unapproachable,
then confidently approaching others as adults may be difficult. There are
many ways to learn that approaching other people is dangerous. It can come
from abuse, or criticism, or disinterest. 

One result of experiences of this kind is that we find it difficult to be
confident when we approach God. This is particularly true when we are feeling
fragile, weak or needy. The last thing we expect is mercy and grace in our
time of need. We expect to be criticized. We expect God to say 'why are
you still so needy?'. We expect to be abandoned. We expect God to say 'I'm
busy now.' We expect to be rejected. We expect God to say 'If only you had
more faith or prayed more or read the Bible more or trusted me more.'
With expectations like this, it is no surprise that we lack confidence when
approaching God.

But God offers us an invitation we long to hear. He invites us to approach. And, God invites us to come with confidence. God will pay attention.
God will hear us. God will be interested in our well-being. God will respond
with mercy, grace and help.

I don't have much confidence, Lord.
I don't trust other people very much .
I don't trust you very much.
I don't expect mercy and grace
from anybody, especially in times when I'm this needy.
I expect criticism, abandonment, and rejection.

Thank you for inviting me to come to you.
Thank you for providing good reasons to have confidence in you.
You are full of mercy and grace.

This is a time of need for me, Lord.
Give me confidence to approach you today.
I need your mercy and grace.
Amen.

Copyright 1991 Dale and Juanita Ryan 

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