Since I grew up in the Roman Catholic Church, I was taught to go confession whenever I made a mistake, messed up or sinned. Initially, this meant going to a confessional booth. However, as I got older I meet face to face with a priest. After bearing my soul, I was usually told to say x amount of Hail Mary’s or Our Father’s, then I would be forgiven.
When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! – Isaiah 1:15
Looking back, this practice doesn’t make sense. Then again, I was also encouraged not to challenge authority so I conformed until college. Through Bible studies, conferences and retreats, I learned that my actions affect access to God. While you have to be careful not to fall into an Old Testament view of God, acts of contrition following confession is a essential.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective, James 5:16.
The prophet Isaiah first informed the Jews that there are conditions when God will not listen to your prayers. Unconfessed sin is like a barrier that blocks your connection with God. Without genuine repentance people will experience periods of mundane prayer where the Holy Spirit is absent. Following the model displayed in James 5:16 can awaken the Spirit of God. If you want to improve your spiritual Wi-Fi connection with God, think twice before giving into temptation since actions affect access.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 