Judges 16:22-31

22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. 23 Now the rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to Dagon their god and to celebrate, saying, "Our god has delivered Samson, our enemy, into our hands."
24 When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, "Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste our land and multiplied our slain."
25 While they were in high spirits, they shouted, "Bring out Samson to entertain us." So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among the pillars, 26 Samson said to the servant who held his hand, "Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them." 27 Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. 28 Then Samson prayed to the LORD, "O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes." 29 Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, 30 Samson said, "Let me die with the Philistines!" Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived.
31 Then his brothers and his father's whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel twenty years.

Yesterday I read about Samson's tragic choice to give into his lustful desires for Delilah, which ultimately resulted in his physical blindness, imprisonment and humiliation. The Philistines, now feeling exceptionally confident in their god Dagon, wanted to show off their prized captor in the temple to further humiliate him. It's hard to feel sorry for Samson here, because his own choices and lustful desires led him to this situation. It was in this weakened moment that Samson cried out to God. Despite his previous failings, he acknowledged his need for God and asked to be used one last time.
God answered his prayer, restoring his strength. This passage speaks to my life in the sense that no matter how much I fail God, He still hears my prayers. My moral behaviour is not a prerequisite for prayer. God does not require me to be perfect in order for Him to hear my prayers, but to have a broken spirit and acknowledge my need for Him.

God,
I am nothing without You. Without You, all life is meaningless. May your Spirit be always present in my heart, that I may be ever mindful of You. I will not let guilty feelings about my own past failings keep me from praying to You. I know that You love me where I am, and it is through my continual relationship with You that I find healing, growth and hope. Thank You for the promise that You have given to me, and for your perfect grace and mercy to call me yours.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.