A reader writes:<\/p>\n
For certain obvious reasons this is not my real email address. I\u2019m closing this account after I send this, so there can be no reply. I don\u2019t even know if this will get through your spam filter, but I suppose it\u2019s worth a shot.<\/p>\n
I have committed a grave sin, a sin so grave that I cannot even speak of it. I will not even hint at what I have done. I truly know what Paul means by calling himself the chief of sinners. Surely if I were to die with this on my conscience, I would go to the lowest circle of Hell. I am not exaggerating.<\/p>\n
By the way, I\u2019m writing this in absolute agony and despair with a headache and loss of sleep, so forgive me if I\u2019m not coherent at the moment.<\/p>\n
There is only one priest I feel safe confessing this to, and he only hears confessions on Saturday. Pray that I make it to then, without committing the same sin again, or committing suicide, or something else that would damn me.<\/p>\n
Please, oh God, will anyone forgive me?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
God will absolutely forgive you. Hold fast to that truth. It was for you Jesus suffered and died, for you he has shed his blood, and to you he absolutely gives the promise that though your sins be as scarlet you shall be made white as snow. Do not despair. And by all means call this priest and see if you can set up a time to talk ASAP. The Lord loves a contrite heart, which he will never spurn. Father, hear our prayer that this person will trust in your absolute promise to forgive his sins and cleanse him from all unrighteousness through your Son Jesus Christ. Bring glory to your Name by forgiving him, healing him, redeeming whatever damage he has done, and restoring his life. Mother Mary and St. Paul, chief of sinners, pray for him and whoever he has harmed. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.<\/p>\n
Do not despair, reader. You are still greatly loved.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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Urgent Prayer Request<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A reader writes: For certain obvious reasons this is not my real email address. I'm closing this account after I send this, so there can be no reply. I\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/markshea\/2014\/05\/urgent-prayer-request-41.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Urgent Prayer Request\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A reader writes: For certain obvious reasons this is not my real email address. I'm closing this account after I send this, so there can be no reply. 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