First Week in Advent – Bonus – Hopeful Prayer

God has published prayers from angry, exasperated, and lonely people, so that we can know that hope remains for us. Imagine the tragedy if he had published only perfect prayers from perfect people. Alas, such prayers would not be perfect! We need some rough edges, prayers throbbing with powerful emotions. Otherwise, we might be tempted to think that we must first cleanse ourselves from sin and then come to God. That would be nothing but salvation by works. The Psalms tell us to come to him first, as we are. He is the one who heals.

Alden Thompson, Inspiration: Hard Questions, Honest Answers, p 185