(54) Dialogue and monologue.

Amen, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again, (amen,) I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.» (Matt 18:18-20)

(Jesus) said to them again, «Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.» And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, «Receive the holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.» (John 20:21-23)

Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; But certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me. (Ps 66:16-20)

The LORD is far from the wicked, but the prayer of the just he hears. (Prov 15:29)

When one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. (Prov 28:9)

For what can the impious man expect when he is cut off, when God requires his life? Will God then attend to his cry when calamity comes upon him? Will he then delight in the Almighty and call upon him constantly? (Job 27:8-10)

When you spread out your hands, I close my eyes to you; Though you pray the more, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood! Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil; learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged, hear the orphan’s plea, defend the widow. Come now, let us set things right, says the LORD: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; Though they be crimson red, they may become white as wool. (Is 1:15-18)