Have you ever hesitated to pray because of guilt? Have you found yourself weighed down by shame, thinking, God won’t listen to me. I have done too much. I have fallen too far? Let me stop you right there. That thought is a lie, whispered by the very forces that want to keep you distant from God.

Prayer is not about who you are. It is about who God is.

Somewhere along the way, many of us began to believe that prayer is reserved for the “holy” or the “deserving.” But let me remind you: none of us are truly worthy. That is the beauty of God’s grace. He does not invite us into prayer because we have earned the right. God invites us because of His love and mercy.

You are not too sinful to approach God. In fact, those moments of brokenness are when you need Him the most. God is not interested in perfection. He is interested in your presence.

The Purpose of Prayer

Prayer is not a performance. Prayer is a relationship. It is a space where you can come just as you are—messy, confused, joyful, hurting, hopeful, or even unsure. God is not looking for the “right words” or a spotless record. He is looking for your heart. The purpose of prayer is not to remind God of who you are but to remind yourself of who He is. That is faithful, forgiving, compassionate, and all-powerful.

When Guilt Creeps In

When guilt tells you to stay silent, speak louder. When shame tells you to hide, step boldly into God’s presence. The Bible is filled with stories of people who seemed unworthy in the eyes of the world—and maybe even in their own eyes—but God heard their prayers anyway. David, a man who fell into grievous sin, prayed. Peter, who denied Jesus, prayed. Even the thief on the cross prayed.

God hears every cry of the heart. He never rejects a repentant spirit.

A God Who Welcomes You

In Luke 18:13-14, Jesus tells the story of a tax collector who humbly prayed, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” This man, considered despised and sinful by society, left justified before God not because of his deeds, but because of his humility.

Let that sink in. God welcomes your prayers not because of your perfection but because of His perfect love.

An Invitation to Pray Boldly

So today, no matter where you are or what you have done, I invite you to pray. This is not because you have it all together, but because God does. Pray in your weakness. Pray in your confusion. Pray when you feel unworthy.

Remember, prayer is not about who you are. It is about who He is…a God of mercy…a God of grace…a God who loves you more deeply than you can imagine.

Step into that love today. Pray boldly. Pray often. Let grace do the rest.

Paying boldly,

Coach Erika