Yayagom Church

Sunday morning, with a heart full of excitement, heading to church.

Once again, Sunday morning has arrived. The sunlight streaming through the window is no different from any other day, but the air feels somehow a layer more transparent and solemn. The busy routines and frantic thoughts of yesterday slowly subside, and a feeling of excitement and quiet preparation for meeting the Lord settles in my heart. Shaking off the temptation to sleep in, every action—from calmly choosing my clothes to packing my bag—is not just a simple preparation, but a ritual of listening to my own self and the voice of my soul that I had forgotten during the week. The Bible and hymnbook in my bag become steadfast companions that help me compose myself. These small rituals gather to guide my heart like the footsteps of a pilgrim heading toward worship.

Opening the front door, even the noise of the city seems to sound friendly. The faint morning mist has already disappeared, and the clear, fresh air enters deep into my lungs, feeling as if it is purifying me. The small flowers blooming by the roadside sparkle with morning dew, and the green leaves rustle softly in the breeze. Every single scene that I usually pass by without a thought feels new today. All this natural beauty seems to bear witness to the Creator's handiwork, and a feeling of gratitude wells up naturally. It's almost as if the entire world is inviting me to the place of worship.

On the way to church, I see various people. A young couple walking and chattering, holding their child's hand; an elderly couple moving slowly but with firm steps, leaning on a cane; and young people walking quietly in neat suits. Although their life's burdens and stories are different, their steps are headed in only one direction. Their expressions are filled not with the worries and anxieties of the world, but with an anticipation for the peace and comfort they will receive through today's service. On this path, as anonymous brothers and sisters, we send silent support to each other and subtly feel a sense of belonging to the community. This short journey on foot becomes a bridge connecting the busyness of the world with a spiritual sanctuary.

As I get closer to the church building, I hear the soft resonance of hymns. The familiar melody and lyrics welcome me like an old friend, making my steps even lighter. Finally, as I open the church door and step inside the sanctuary, my heart becomes even more still. The noise of the outside world fades away, and a sacred silence envelops me along with a solemn atmosphere. The neatly arranged chairs under the soft lighting and the stained glass that sparkles brilliantly with the light seem to symbolize the peace of the soul. Seeing the people who have already arrived and are praying, and exchanging warm greetings with fellow church members I haven't seen in a while, I feel that I have finally arrived at my true sanctuary.

The service consists of the Word, prayer, and hymns. All these parts are like living water that quenches the soul's thirst. The hymns we sing together are not just simple songs. They are a heartfelt prayer that is a mixture of the joys and sorrows, gratitude and confessions from each of our lives, resonating in the heavens. As I listen to the voice of the person next to me and sing along, verse by verse, I experience my heart's walls crumbling and my soul becoming free. In this moment, as a unified community, we share our hearts with each other and give glory to God.

Then, the pastor's sermon begins. The Word of the Bible is displayed on the screen, and the story comes across not like some ancient legend, but as a vivid message directly connected to my own life. At times, it shakes my heart with warm comfort, and at other times, with sharp enlightenment. Every time I think, 'Ah, this is the Word I needed,' each verse becomes a compass that offers wisdom and direction for my life. The enlightenment I gain through the Word organizes my complex thoughts and breathes new strength and courage into me, who has been exhausted throughout the week.

Even after the service ends, the lingering feeling doesn't easily fade. The time spent outside, sharing coffee and refreshments, and asking about each other's well-being and sharing our lives with fellow church members, is a form of worship in its own right. Through this time, we celebrate each other's joys, comfort each other's pain, and confirm the strong bond of our community. This time reminds me that faith is not a solitary journey but one we walk together.

My steps leaving the church are quite different from when I arrived. I feel as if a heavy burden has been lifted, and my heart is filled with an indescribable fullness. The world outside remains the same, but my perspective and mindset are completely new. I have gained the strength to live fiercely in the world for the coming week, and with the energy recharged through this spiritual rest, I return to the world again. Just as the walk toward the church is a precious journey to find spiritual rest and inner peace, I believe that the walk back to my daily life is the start of another pilgrimage to share the love and grace I have received with the world.

You know that prayer should be done to get a response, right?

From the standpoint of having been attending church for many years and now having been able to say that I have been attending church for a lifetime, it seems that I have been taught to pray only to receive a response to prayer. So first, I try to find out what the Bible says about prayer and how the church teaches about prayer and argue that prayer should not go only to prayer for response.

Biblical teachings

Response according to God's will

The Bible says that God hears our prayers, but not always responds in the way we want. According to God's wisdom and plan, they give the best (John 1:5:14-15).

The Importance of Faith

Prayer must be given by faith and must be assured that it will be answered (Gospel of Matthew 21:22).

Perseverance and patience

Jesus taught us not to be discouraged but to pray patiently (Gospel of Luke 18:1-8).

Prayer for God's glory

We must pray to reveal God's glory, not our own greed or selfish purpose (John 14:13).

Help of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit helps us with our fragility and guides us to pray according to God's will (Roman 8:26-27).

Church teachings

The Church generally emphasizes prayer responses based on the teachings of the Bible:

God's sovereignty

The response of prayer depends entirely on God's sovereignty, and it is in accordance with his will and time.

Various forms of response

The response is not only to receive what we are asking for, but it can also be replaced by something better, or it can be done in other ways. Sometimes, responses may be delayed or rejected.

The benefit of prayer.

Prayer itself plays a crucial role in bringing spiritual growth and peace through communion with God, reinforcing our faith.

Community prayer

It teaches that not only individual prayers, but also united prayers of the church community can exert greater power (Acts of the Apostles 4:24).

Life Change

True prayer must change our hearts and lives, leading us to obey God's will.

In conclusion, the Bible and the Church emphasize that prayer is communication with God, and that the response is God's sovereign history. We must pray with faith and perseverance that are worthy of God's will, and trust God who will respond in any form.

But is it because the reason why this teaching is really biblical? There are many books to receive prayer responses, and if you say what you want and wish well like a magic lamp, you should believe that God will give you and pray. As a result, all the prayers of Korean churches are different, so only children beg.

I'll do this. He doesn't talk like the Lord's Sakgaeo, but he's arguing, "Why are you not responding? You have to respond."

Even if we reflect on and repent every week and try to turn back, life does not change because of the lack of forgiveness. We are easily enraged. To someone who is close to home at work. Before you get angry, I want you to forgive the other person.

Forgiveness is not about asking for forgiveness. It is enough to declare that if someone makes me angry, I will forgive you, whether I hear or not. If you do this a few times, you will know what the Lord will be to pray that we in the Lord's Prayer forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven us for our sins.

The Huge Difference Between Listening to a Sermon and Preaching One

The Huge Difference Between Listening to a Sermon and Preaching One

Anyone who attends church has likely heard the word "sermon." It refers to explaining doctrine and giving teachings during a church service. However, the story of a pastor who quit ministry because the sermon preparation process was too difficult might seem puzzling to many people. This is because many people think preaching is an easy task—simply speaking in front of people. Yet, preaching is far more than just talking; it's an incredibly difficult task burdened by deep contemplation and spiritual and intellectual pressure.

The Weight of Preaching: Why Is It So Hard?

There are several reasons why preaching is so challenging, but they can be broken down into four main points. The first is the spiritual burden. Preachers feel a heavy weight because they believe they aren't just delivering their own personal thoughts but are speaking on behalf of God. They fear misinterpreting God's word or blending their own personal beliefs into the message. This spiritual pressure is a unique kind of suffering not found in other professions.

The second is the intellectual burden. A good sermon comes from deep research. Preparing a sermon requires more than just reading the Bible; it demands extensive work like analyzing the original Hebrew and Greek texts, studying historical and cultural contexts, and consulting various theological books and commentaries. This intellectual labor is a major reason why pastors get exhausted, especially when they have to prepare a new sermon every week.

The third is the burden of communication. Even if a preacher gains deep insights, conveying them in a way that resonates with the congregation's lives is another challenge entirely. They must simplify complex theological concepts into language that everyone can understand and connect the sermon's content to the real-life problems people face (family issues, work stress, personal pain) to offer genuine comfort and challenge. Since the people listening have diverse backgrounds, ages, and levels of faith, the skill of communicating in a way that moves hearts and inspires change is something they must constantly work on.

Finally, there's the pressure of time. Most pastors have countless other duties besides preparing sermons, such as visiting congregants, counseling, handling church administration, and attending meetings. It is very difficult to dedicate enough time to preparing a single sermon while balancing all these other tasks. When they have to create one or two new sermons every week, the sense of failure they feel when they can't allocate enough time and end up with a sermon they're not proud of is a great source of pain for a pastor.

How Are Great Preachers Made?

Sometimes, you encounter an outstanding preacher and wonder how they manage to speak so clearly and passionately, persuading and enlightening people so effectively. This could be due to innate talent or the result of relentless effort. It’s possible that preaching, like singing, has a natural talent component, where a talented individual might make a hard worker feel inadequate.

It's common to see assistant pastors who grew up listening to the sermons of a lead pastor from a large church imitate their speaking style and gestures. This can be understood as a process of learning and practicing the craft of preaching. If you weren't born with the gift, it makes sense to practice to reach the desired level.

Sermon Frequency and Church Growth

Back in the 1980s, there was a saying that there were more churches than coffee shops, reflecting a period of significant church growth. Today, the situation has changed; the number of churches is declining and is often compared to the number of convenience stores or coffee shops. The sheer volume of sermons a single pastor must deliver—from early morning services to Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday sermons—is immense, and it’s a reality that places a huge burden on them.

In small churches, where all resources are scarce, pastors often have to handle every task themselves. It's said that a church of 500 members finds it hard to grow to 1,000, and a church of 1,000 finds it even harder to reach 5,000. Viewing church growth solely in terms of the number of congregants, like a business, is seen as a misguided approach. Some people express disappointment with Protestantism when they see congregants boast about their church's size, feeling that it shows a lack of thought. It's important to remember that Jesus left behind only 12 disciples, and accurately, just 11.

The Man Who Established Christianity: Paul

Jesus left 11 disciples, and Judas Iscariot's presence is a bitter note. However, God used a young man named Saul to rebuild Christianity. Saul (Paul) was a persecutor of Christians but, on his way to Damascus, he met Jesus, had a conversion experience, and became the Christian apostle Paul. This one man can be seen as a founder of the Jesus movement that led to today's Catholic and Protestant churches.

His theology forms the basis of Christian theology, and the New Testament was completed through his epistles. Since Paul's letters make up most of the New Testament (apart from the four Gospels and a few other epistles), his theological contributions are central. Unlike the original disciples who lived with Jesus, Paul met him through a spiritual experience. This is why some argue that Paul, rather than the disciples, was more instrumental in shaping the religion. Luke, Paul's companion, documented this in the book of Acts. In the end, we are all influenced by the actions of an exceptional individual. We call them geniuses.

On the Qualities and Efforts of a Preacher

As mentioned, preaching is more than just an act of conveying knowledge. To be a preacher, one must deeply study God's word, apply it to the times and lives of the audience, and possess spiritual authority and character. This isn't something that comes from innate talent alone but is gained through constant prayer, meditation, academic research, and self-reflection. If listening to a sermon is simply a story that enters your ears, then preaching a sermon is a spiritual struggle that pours out one's entire soul. Therefore, the burden and suffering that preachers experience are completely understandable.

At a church, it's dark beneath the lamp, and a staff member is having issues with attending worship services.

Sunday. During the sermon, the senior pastor suddenly told the entire congregation that some staff members were not attending the service, and instructed the associate pastors to go and tell all the staff to attend. After the service, I saw the senior pastor, who was extremely agitated.

Why wouldn't the church staff listen to the senior pastor's sermon?

Is it because they're really busy? Is it because they don't feel spiritually moved? In any case, it's an embarrassing situation for the pastor.

While it's wrong for staff not to attend the service, the way the pastor chose to address it was completely wrong. I'm left with a feeling of regret, wondering if it was necessary to show such a dismissive attitude towards the staff in front of the entire congregation during the sermon. With such a personality, the entire congregation must have understood why the staff weren't listening to his sermons. I actually saw some members who had called out the staff apologize to them.

Because the church should prioritize love over discipline, it's genuinely difficult to admonish and teach someone who is acting wrongly. That's why one must be wise and cautious in applying church discipline.

Regardless of the reason, a leader who talks about discipline rather than encouragement toward a vulnerable church member like a staff employee can never be respected. Sometimes, a personality of this sort is on the level of a factory manager or a ruthless businessman. So, before I offer a solution below, if you are someone who receives a stipend from a church and are reading this, I hope you will follow my method.

Don't separate worship and work; just think of worship as part of your job and participate. If you keep trying to separate them, you will only create a permanent distance from the senior pastor. It's also unlikely that you'll feel spiritually moved during a service you are forced to attend. It's much harder to do something when you're forced to.

Worship is just a task, and it's a very easy one where you just have to sit and listen.

And if the church also considers worship a task and recognizes the worship time as working hours, the conflict will disappear. Debating whether it's right or wrong for a church worker to miss a service will only lead to a contentious outcome.

Even if your church doesn't recognize worship time as working hours because it doesn't have established principles, let's just think of worship as part of the job. By doing so, let's not let our peace of mind be stolen. You know well who it's being stolen from.

There is no promise of becoming rich.

The term 'blessing' often heard in church can lead to many misunderstandings. Many believers think that if they believe in God, they will become financially prosperous and everything will go well. However, when we look closely at the Bible, we can see that God's concept of blessing is somewhat different from the worldly success or financial wealth we often think of. Why doesn't God just make us unconditionally rich? And what is the 'true blessing' the Bible talks about?

There is no promise of becoming rich.

Many people mistakenly believe that there is a direct promise in the Bible that "if you believe in God, you will become rich." However, nowhere in the Bible is there a promise that 'God will make you rich.'

On the contrary, Jesus emphasized how difficult it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. The saying, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God," clearly shows that having a lot of wealth can be an obstacle to faith.

So why do pastors emphasize 'blessings' and preach about financial prosperity? Some pastors selectively quote or over-interpret Bible verses, telling their congregants that material blessings are proof of their faith.

For example, they equate the blessings of land and prosperity of descendants in the Old Testament with material wealth in the New Testament. However, in the New Testament, after Jesus, the concept of blessing expanded beyond mere prosperity of the land to a spiritual meaning. The greatest gift God gives us is 'salvation' and 'eternal life,' and this is the most important blessing the Bible speaks of.

God's purpose is not wealth, but a relationship.

The fundamental reason why God does not make us financially rich is that God's interest is not in 'our possessions' but in 'our relationship with Him.' God does not want us to be captivated by worldly wealth and become distant from Him. Wealth can easily captivate a person's heart and make them arrogant, eventually weakening their reliance on God.

The Bible rather says that through material difficulties, we can rely more deeply on God, learn humility, and achieve spiritual growth.

The Apostle Paul, who experienced both abundance and poverty, confessed, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength." This means he learned to be content in God regardless of his material circumstances. Ultimately, God wants us to become 'people of complete faith' who rely only on God, not a life dependent on material prosperity.

On the view of financial prosperity as a blessing

Our misunderstanding of financial prosperity as a blessing is deeply related to the values of modern society. Since success and happiness are often measured by the amount of wealth, these worldly standards have influenced our faith.

However, the Bible often tells stories that are contrary to worldly values. It teaches that true satisfaction and joy are not found in possessions, but in a relationship with God.

Of course, God sometimes gives us material blessings. But this is not to satisfy our greed, but to give us a mission to use it for God's good work. In other words, the wealth we have has meaning only when it is used as a tool to help others and to spread God's love, not just for personal satisfaction.

In this context, it is important to rethink the meaning of 'blessing.' The blessings Jesus spoke of are spiritual comfort and peace given to those who are considered unfortunate by worldly standards, such as the 'poor in spirit,' the 'hungry and thirsty for righteousness,' and the 'persecuted.'

In this way, the blessing the Bible speaks of is not about material prosperity but about a spiritual state, and this leads to a true joy and peace that the world cannot give.

A Life of Joy, Satisfied in God Alone

Dear beloved congregation, today we will talk about the "joy of a life satisfied in God alone." Our lives are often like a journey where we constantly pursue something more. We strive to own more, climb higher, and gain greater recognition. However, this pursuit can sometimes leave us feeling empty and fail to provide true satisfaction. When we feel a thirst and hunger that nothing can fill, where can we find true contentment?

The Bible is clear. The only source where our souls can find true satisfaction is God alone. Psalm 73:25 confesses, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you." This confession reveals David's deep spiritual insight, realizing that no worldly wealth, fame, or honor could compare to God. While we often try to find satisfaction in material possessions, success, or relationships, all these things are like a flickering candle in the wind, liable to disappear or change at any moment. True satisfaction doesn't come from external circumstances or possessions but must spring from the deepest part of our being, the center of our soul. And the only one who can fill that center is God, our Creator.

Satisfaction Like Living Water in a Parched Land

I once heard a story about a missionary who spent decades preaching the gospel in a remote part of Africa. It was a parched land where water was so scarce that even drinking water was hard to find. One day, during a severe drought, when the villagers were exhausted, the missionary began to dig a well. He toiled for days, but no water appeared. People told him to give up, and he himself often felt discouraged.

However, the missionary prayed and didn't stop digging. Finally, a miracle happened: a cool stream of water gushed from deep within the earth. The dry land was soaked with living water, and the villagers cheered with joy. At that moment, the missionary confessed, "This water not only quenched our physical thirst but made me realize that God is the one who satisfies the deep thirst of our souls in the same way."

This story gives us an important message. Nothing in this world can fully satisfy our spiritual thirst. No matter how much we own or enjoy, a life without God is like walking through a barren desert. But when we accept God as the sole spring of our lives, we experience true satisfaction and an abundant life. Our souls will become lush and green, like a tree planted by streams of water.

Being satisfied in God alone doesn't mean abandoning everything and living an ascetic life. Rather, it means having an attitude of gratitude for everything we have been given in God and valuing God, who is above all things, as the most precious. When we focus on God, we find true joy and meaning not in material possessions or social status but in our relationship with Him. This allows us to be free from worldly desires and discover true happiness.

Toward Eternal Joy and Peace

Beloved congregation, a life satisfied in God alone brings us true peace and joy. We no longer have to try to prove ourselves by worldly standards because we believe that our worth is already complete in God's love and that our needs are already met in Him.

I sincerely hope that today we can all find true satisfaction in God and confess that He alone is enough. The peace and joy that the world cannot give are found in this confession. When we place God at the center of our lives and live in a relationship with Him, our souls will experience genuine contentment and happiness.

Let us pray.

Can We Really Be Holy Like God?

Today, I want to talk about a crucial topic that we, as believers, should always keep in our hearts: holiness. In the Bible, we often encounter the command, "Be holy, because I am holy." It makes us wonder how we could possibly be holy like the almighty and perfect God. Can we really become holy like Him? And why should we?

What is the Meaning of God's Holiness?

First, God's holiness is His essential nature. God has no connection with sin and tolerates no evil. He is completely set apart from everything in the world, perfectly pure and whole. The Hebrew word for "holy" is kodesh, which means "to be set apart" or "to be separated."

Two Reasons Why We Should Be Holy

So, why should believers strive for holiness? There are two important reasons.
It is God's clear command. The Bible commands us to be holy in many places. Leviticus 19:2 says, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 also emphasizes, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This is not an option; it is God's explicit will for His people.
As God's children, we should resemble Him. We become children of God by believing in Jesus. Just as children resemble their parents, we too should grow to be like God in character. Since holiness is God's very nature, it is natural for us, as His children, to pursue holiness in our lives. This means imitating God not just in our external actions but in our thoughts, hearts, and every area of our lives.

What Does a Believer's Holiness Mean?

While we cannot be as perfect as God, the holiness of a believer, as described in the Bible, means the following:
A life set apart from the world: It means living separate from the sinful culture and values of the world, as a person who belongs to God.
Progressive growth: The moment we believe in Jesus, we are declared righteous and made holy. But at the same time, our lives go through a process of 'becoming progressively more holy' as we fight against sin and become more like Jesus. This is called sanctification. Just as a child grows, our spiritual holiness must also continue to develop.
An intimate relationship with God: Holiness comes from walking closely with God. Our efforts to love His Word, hate sin, and live a righteous life are what build our holiness.
Becoming more like Jesus: Ultimately, the goal of our holiness is to become more like Jesus Christ. This means living a life of humility, love, gentleness, and patience, just as He did.

It's Difficult on Our Own, but...

Of course, we cannot become perfectly holy by our own strength. But we can live a holy life by relying on the help of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ. God's command for us to be holy also means that He has given us the ability to live that way.
So, how about we try to live a holy life that pleases God today? Our efforts—starting with small things like turning away from sin, obeying God's Word, and striving to be more like Jesus—will come together to bear the beautiful fruit of holiness.

Prayer Answered: Why Don't I Get What I Want?

Many churches teach that "if you pray, God will grant everything you ask for." However, in reality, many of our fervent requests go unanswered, which can lead to disappointment. The Bible, though, speaks about answered prayer in a way that differs from our typical expectations. So, what is the right understanding of answered prayer?

The Biblical View of Answered Prayer

The Bible clearly promises that God answers prayers. But this doesn't mean that He will give us everything we want, in the way we want it, and when we want it.

Praying According to God’s Will: The Bible says that God hears us if we ask anything according to His will (1 John 5:14). This means our prayers are answered when they align with God's greater plan and purpose. Sometimes, what we ask for might not be for our true benefit or for God's glory.
Waiting and Different Kinds of Answers: Just as it took 21 days for Daniel's prayer to be answered, God sometimes makes us wait (Daniel 10:12-14). Furthermore, when the Apostle Paul prayed three times for his "thorn in the flesh" to be removed, God answered differently, saying, "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).
God Gives the Best: Jesus said that just as a good parent wouldn't give a child a stone when asked for bread, our heavenly Father will give what is good to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:9-11). What we think is "good" might not be what God considers "best." God sometimes answers in bigger and more surprising ways than we could ever imagine.

The Meaning of Prayer Beyond the Answer

Prayer is not merely a tool to get things from God. It is a means of building a relationship with God and drawing closer to Him. Through prayer, we learn to understand God's will more deeply, trust Him, learn patience, and grow spiritually. The act of praying itself provides great benefit, regardless of whether a specific request is answered.

If we only rely on the teaching that "God grants all prayers," we might misunderstand God and feel disappointed and frustrated in our faith when prayers go unanswered. There is also a risk of prayer becoming a selfish act to fulfill our desires. This can lead to a mistaken belief that God is a genie in a lamp who will automatically grant our wishes.

The Right Attitude for Prayer

From a biblical perspective, we should have the following attitude when we pray:

Seeking God’s Will: Like Jesus, who prayed, "Not my will, but yours be done," we should seek for God's will to be done rather than our own.
Entrusting the Outcome to God: We should pray with faith, believing that God will answer in the best way possible, but also humbly entrusting the form and timing of that answer entirely to Him.
Remembering Gratitude and Praise: Regardless of whether our prayers are answered in the way we expect, we should always have a heart of gratitude and praise for God.
Praying with Our Lives: Prayer should not just be a verbal confession; it should be lived out through our actions and daily lives.

Prayer is an intimate communion with God and an act of trust, where we commit our lives fully to Him. Even if there is no immediate answer, we must remember that God hears our prayers and is leading us on the best path.

Prayer Is Not a Magic Incantation for Answers

Having been a Christian for a long time, I can understand your feeling that the teachings on prayer have been primarily focused on "getting answers." While the belief that God will grant all prayers can be a powerful motivator, it also carries the risk of turning prayer into a mere tool for obtaining what we want. Let's explore what the Bible truly says about prayer and how the church teaches it, to better understand the essential meaning of prayer.

The Principles of Prayer in the Bible

The Bible emphasizes that prayer is not just an act of getting what we want, but a process of building a deep relationship with God.

Answers According to God's Will: The Bible says that God listens to our prayers, but He doesn't always answer in the way we want. Instead, He gives us what is best according to His wisdom and plan (1 John 5:14-15).
Faith and Perseverance: Prayer must be offered in faith with the conviction that it will be answered (Matthew 21:22). We are also taught to pray with persistence and not give up (Luke 18:1-8).
Prayer for God's Glory: Our prayers should not be for our own selfish desires, but for the purpose of bringing glory to God (John 14:13).
Help of the Holy Spirit: When we don't know how to pray, the Holy Spirit helps us and guides us to pray according to God's will (Romans 8:26-27).

Church Teachings and the Reality of Prayer

Based on the Bible, the church teaches that answered prayer is entirely subject to God's sovereignty and can come in many different forms. An answer might not be exactly what we asked for; it might be something better, or it might come in a different way. Sometimes, an answer may be delayed or even denied. The church also teaches that prayer itself is beneficial, strengthening our faith and leading to spiritual growth through communion with God.

However, in reality, prayer is often taught like an "Aladdin's lamp" ritual. The belief that God will grant wishes if we present them well has reduced prayer to a transactional tool. This is why a lot of prayers in Korean churches can sound like a child's repeated demands, "Give me this, give me that."

Unlike Zacchaeus, who promised to change his life, we often find ourselves questioning God, "Why aren't you answering me? You must answer!"

Repentance Without Forgiveness Is Empty

One reason our lives don't change, even after we reflect and repent each week, is the lack of a life of forgiveness. We get angry easily at work, at home, and with those close to us. Before getting angry, we need to practice forgiving the other person first. Forgiveness isn't just about asking for it. If someone makes you angry, it's enough to simply declare, whether they hear you or not, "I forgive you."

After doing this a few times, you will understand the true meaning of the prayer Jesus taught in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." You will come to see that prayer is not just an act of getting answers but a deep spiritual discipline that transforms our hearts and lives.

Forgiveness Is a Gift to Yourself

"Forgive them." How many times have you heard this phrase in your life? Or how often have you asked yourself this question? Forgiveness can feel like a homework assignment or an unreachable state of being. But because of its heavy weight and daunting nature, we often stop short when confronted with the word "forgiveness."

The dictionary defines forgiveness as "to stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake." However, the forgiveness we experience is a much more complex and subtle emotional realm. Is forgiveness simply deciding to "forget about it"? Can we only forgive if we can "understand" the other person's actions?

We find forgiveness difficult to the same degree as the depth of our wounds and our pride. Feelings like anger, injustice, and a desire for revenge slam shut the doors of our hearts. Sometimes, forgiving can feel like "losing" or "making light of the other person's wrongdoing." But true forgiveness is never about that.

Forgiveness Is Healing for Yourself, Not for the Offender

What we need to remember is that forgiveness is not an act for the offender, but a process of healing for yourself. Time spent harboring resentment and trapped in anger ultimately makes our own hearts sick. Forgiveness is a noble act of putting down that heavy emotional burden and liberating yourself from suffering.

Of course, the path to forgiveness is never easy. Sometimes you may have to navigate a whirlwind of intense emotions. It is a completely natural process to feel anger, grief, and sometimes a renewed sense of resentment. The important thing is to be honest with those feelings, but not to get lost in them, and to move forward slowly.

Small Attempts to Open a Closed Door

So, how can we begin this journey of forgiveness?

The first step for you: First, you must recognize that this entire process is ultimately a choice for your own benefit. Ask yourself if you want to live in pain, trapped by past wounds, or if you want to be free through forgiveness.
A small piece of understanding: While you may not be able to fully understand the other person's actions, trying to understand their background or situation, even just a little, can be a starting point for forgiveness. This is not about justifying their wrongdoings, but about practicing looking at the situation from multiple angles.
Honest confrontation with your emotions: It's important to honestly face and express repressed feelings of anger, sadness, or hurt without avoiding them. Writing in a journal or talking to a trusted person are good ways to do this.
A small whisper in your heart: If it's too difficult to say "I forgive you" to the other person, you can start by quietly saying it to yourself in your heart. This small act can slowly begin to open the closed door of your heart.
Find your own way: There is no single correct way to forgive. You can write a letter to process your emotions, spend time alone to calm your heart, or sometimes seek professional help. Find a method that works for you and take it one step at a time.

Forgiveness: The Noble Power That Transforms Lives

Forgiveness is not a magic trick that happens instantly. It can take a long time and requires constant effort. But at the end of it, a wonderful transformation awaits. The peace of mind you gain from putting down the heavy emotional burden, the freedom to live fully in the present without being bound by past hurts, and the growth into a more mature version of yourself. This is the precious gift that forgiveness offers us.

Remember. Forgiveness is not for the other person; it is the most beautiful gift you can give yourself. Now, how about you try to find that small key that can open the closed door of your heart?