Prayer as an Offering

In the HSCB [Hosea 14:2] reads: “Take words of repentance with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: 'Forgive all our sin and accept what is good, so that we may repay You with praise from our lips.'” The last phrase literally reads, “and we will pay you with the bulls of our lips.” As the imagery is clearly that of sacrifice, this passage has generally been interpreted as expressing a desire for a new beginning. The words being assessed as a sacrifice are acceptable only when they can be presented as representative for past actions and future commitment. In this way, the prophet made clear that at the heart of all his expressions concerning the nature of true worship and relationship with God is a call for confession and repentance. This is the crux of the attitude to be brought to all worship. Apart from confession and repentance we cannot enter into worship, and apart from accompanying commitment of personal worship and service, worship has not been achieved. Herein resides the bridge into what one takes from worship.

Timothy M. Pierce, Enthroned on Our Praise, p. 189-190