Understanding we are sinners; Repentance of Sin; Forgiveness which comes from God; and Deliverance from consequences: These are all part of God’s love for us. But the love of God goes beyond. The love of God can bring healing. The healing of God can be physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The healing that comes from…
The prayer of the Amidah lays out the path of our forgiveness. God is Holy. His love helps us understand not only that we are sinners, but our specific sin. When God confronts us with our sin we realize the hopelessness of our situation … and our need for God. We repent of our sin,…
Forgiveness follows Repentance. The scripture says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:19) “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they…
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) ” There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) “When they…
“Restore our judges as in former times, and our counselors as at the beginning; remove from us sorrow and sighing; reign over us, O Lord, You alone, in lovingkindness and tender mercy, and clear us in judgment. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the King who loves righteousness and judgment.” For the Jewish people, and for…
What is the meaning of life?Why is this happening to me?Why are they like that?I just don’t understand! … This is the context of the fourth benediction: Binah, the prayer for understanding. “You graciously give knowledge to man and teach mortals understanding: Give to us from Lord Your knowledge, understanding, and intelligence. Blessed be Thou,…
Prayer is a privilege. Our Loving God offers us audience with Him at any time, at any place, and for any reason. This is an incredible invitation. We can speak to the Creator of the Universe (Ge 14:19), Our Mighty God (Lk 22:69), the King of Kings (1 Tim 6:15). God is Holy (Ex 3:5;…
We have seen in the First Benediction that God is our Father, the Creator, Almighty who can create this world by with only a Word. The Second Benediction takes this further. “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might…
One translation of the first benediction says: “Blessed are you Lord our God and God of our fathers. God of Abraham, God of Isaac, and God of Jacob. God, the Great, the Mighty, and Awesome God. Most High who gives kindness plentifully and creates everything. Who recalls kindnesses of the fathers and brings a Redeemer…
A little more about the Amidah before we launch into various sections of this prayer. The Amidah is written in three sections Praise = 3 Benedictions Petition = 12 (or 13) Benedictions Thanksgiving = 3 Benedictions As I write about the Amidah, we will begin with the first section which includes Benedictions 1-3. This section…
