Let us prepare our hearts for the Celebration of Resurrection Day…
Dear brother and sister,
I’m sure you pray.
I’m sure you pray throughout your day.
I’m sure.
But I am not so sure that we spend ample time in prayer specifically asking God for His forgiveness.
I have been personally considering how often repentance shows up in my daily life. In my daily prayers. And I asked God to speak His Truth into my considerations so I may further live aligned to my God-given design that…
“…in repentance and rest is [my] SALVATION; in quietness and confidence is [my] strength...” -Isaiah 30:15
May God, Our Gracious Father, use the following to help us further cultivate a rhythm of daily repentance:
Father God, You are full of mercy and kindness. You are patient with us, loving & forgiving, even when we make mistakes. Right now, as we pray, help us to see where we have fallen short so You can help us better understand the power of repentance & how You designed us to live aligned to our God-given rhythm of repentance this very hour & onward. Thank you, Father.
I encourage you as Easter approaches, to spend some time meditating on Psalm 51 and Psalm 32. See if you can spot in these verses how powerful confession and repentance are for the one who comes to God in their shame and trust Him for help, for forgiveness, for guidance:
Repentance is powerful,
Because it brings joy in place of rotting from the inside out.
Repentance is powerful,
Because it brings healing to the stubborn heart.
Repentance is powerful,
Because it leads to freedom.
Repentance is powerful,
Because it turns even our worst mistakes into lessons.
Repentance is powerful,
Because it opens us to hear His guidance and experience the surrounding of His love.
Lord, You are full of grace. You forgive our sins, no matter how big or small. Please forgive us for the wrong things we have done—whether we meant to do them or not.
Forgive us…
• For the times we hurt others, whether we realized it or not.
• For the times we were dishonest in our words or actions.
• For the times we were unkind, holding onto anger instead of love.
• For the times we ignored someone in need.
• For the times we were selfish when we should have been giving.
God, we have sinned not just against You, but also against life itself:
• When we did not stand up for what is right.
• When we stayed silent instead of helping those who were suffering.
• When we forgot about those who are poor, hungry, or hurting.
• When we spread gossip or twisted the truth.
• When we let fear or despair control our hearts.
• When we failed to love others as You love us.
Lord, forgive us for these things. We don’t want to live this way. We need Your help to live out Your Ways, not ours. Help us to treat every person with kindness, remembering that each one is made in Your image.
For the times we have been too busy to pray, too distracted to study Your Word, and too distant from You—please forgive us.
For all the sins we remember and even the ones we have forgotten, we ask for Your mercy.
God, we confess our faults:
• Pride, selfishness, and jealousy.
• Lying and greed.
• Anger and hatred.
• Holding grudges and refusing to forgive.
• Choosing what is easy instead of what is right.
Lord, we ask for Your forgiveness. Wash us clean through Jesus, whose blood was shed for us. Thank You for loving us so much that You always offer us a fresh start.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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