About prayer and forgiveness:

See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. � They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father, and Ephraim is my firstborn son. � "Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: 'He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd. � � when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. � And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. � Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. � For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. � But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. � "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. :

Verse References In The Order Presented Above -- Jeremiah 31:8 ; Jeremiah 31:9 ; Jeremiah 31:10 ; Matthew 6:6 ; Matthew 6:7 ; Matthew 6:8 ; Matthew 6:14 ; Matthew 6:15 ; Matthew 6:16