God with "good prayers," "humble prayers," "sincere prayers," "whole-hearted prayers," etc. we reduce God's rich grace to a poor, man-centered, work-righteousness. The thought that we must first please God before we can approach His grace is the core error of this stumbling-block to true prayer. This would be praying in my name, on the basis of my merits; true prayer is prayer in Jesus' Name, on the basis of His merits.

Read the following portion of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet;

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

- Luke 15:13-24

As long as the prodigal son tried to earn his own righteousness, what happened? When he returned, however, to confess all to his father, what took place?

And the publican, standing I afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

- Luke 18:13

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

- Proverbs 28:13

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

- I John 1:9

Can true peace be experienced without true confession of sin?