This
excerpt appeared in a meditation based on 1 Samuel 1:9-20 at https://wau.org/meditations/2016/01/12/ and repeated in a pastor's reflection at http://www.stjosephwakefield.org/pastors-reflection-for-january-24-2016/.
"In
the face of seemingly unanswered prayers, it’s tempting to move away from God
instead of towards him. It’s tempting to give up on him and remain locked in
sorrow and frustration and perhaps even anger. But God does work when we pray.
Our prayers may feel inadequate, and our faith may seem too
small.
But
our Father sees to it that no prayer goes unnoticed. No act of faith or
trust—however small—goes unrewarded. He doesn’t need us to be perfect before we
come to him. What good would that do anyway? We would have no needs to bring to
him!
This is one of the greatest blessings of prayer: you can
come to the Lord no matter who you are or what you have done. He welcomes you
with open arms, even when you don’t think you deserve it. He loves to hear what
is upsetting you, and he loves to offer you his help and his grace."
Note: Matt Talbot understood this and he would say to others, "If I can
do it, so can you with the grace of God."
Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center
The Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center exists to compile writings about the life, times, conversion, and recovery from alcoholism of Matt Talbot (1856-1925) of Dublin, Ireland. Disclaimer: The placing of information on this site from external linked sources does not necessarily imply agreement with that information. This center is independent of any other center, group, organization, website, or Facebook page. Comments are welcome at: ven.matt.talbot.resource.center@gmail.com