The Lenten Season is a time of repentance, self-examination, fasting and prayer in preparation for Resurrection Sunday (Easter). “Renewing our sense of who we really are before God is the core of the Lenten experience”. (Pastor Orville K.Littlejohn, my Pastor,) “). Each day we want to search our hearts that we may grow to have the mind of Christ and grow to please God and to be more like Jesus.
So today on the 22nd day of the Lenton Season seek God with a repentant heart (See Joel 2: 12-24) and let us honestly search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24). Here is an example of a prayer of repentance to help you get started in initiating self-examination , prayer and a spirit of repentance. Then we will examine what is repentance and why it is important to our prayer lives and our relationship with God.
A Prayer of Repentance
Lord, I come humbly before You and ask you to cleanse my heart of my every sin. “Have mercy on me O, Lord according to your loving kindness and blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly of my iniquity and cleanse me of all of my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2) Lord create in me a clean heart. Please Lord renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10-11). Forgive me for thoughts I have had, words I have spoken and things that I have done that are not pleasing in your sight and do not glorify you. Father, forgive me I pray for my sins of_______(state them)________________________. I confess it is a sin and truly repent of these acts, words and thoughts. ( 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:5 Proverbs 28:13, Psalm 51:6, 10). Lord search the inwards hidden places of my heart and reveal my sin to me that I may not see. (Psalm 139: 23-24). I seek to repent of everything that You show me Lord. I confess my sins to you in the full realization that you are faithful and just to forgive me of all my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.( 1John 1:9) I know that my sins are against You and You only. Grant me a broken, willing spirit and a contrite heart so I can offer it to You (Psalm 51:1-4, Psalm. 51:12, Psalm 51:17).
Thank you Father. I desire to obey your commandments and statutes. I choose to stop my sinful ways and to turn to walk upright. Help me, Lord God to bring forth fruits that are worthy of repentance (Luke 3:8). Lord I want to live a righteous, pure and holy life through your power (Colossians 1:11). I am determined to walk in the Spirit and in your ways and walk away from my sins by the power of the Holy Ghost. Grant me a godly sorrow that is not just full of regret because of the consequences of sin but sorrow that leads to true repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). Lord give me a tender heart that is sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit and the conviction of sin. Holy Spirit, thank You for convicting me of my sin. Forgive me for the ways I’ve ignored Your voice and quenched and grieved You. (John 16:8; Ephesians. 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Romans. 8:1-2). Lord I praise you, Father, for your goodness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Lord thank you for restoring my soul so that the times of refreshing my come (Acts 3:19). Amen.
It is important to note that a repentant heart is not limited to a special season or time of the year. If we want to have effective prayer lives which bring forth life transformation and healing of the land, repentance must become a part of our lifestyle. Despite the benefits of repentance, we are resistant to the thought of repentance. Repentance isn’t a popular word. Our culture encourages us to do whatever we want when we want. TV, music videos and movies very rarely show the consequences of our sins.
It is one thing to know that you have done something that is wrong . But it is another to be saddened and sorrowful about your actions and determine that you will turn away from that sin and never do the act again. To repent “I” or “we” must come to terms with and acknowledge that we have sinned and then turn away from such sinful behavior and be reconciled back to our loving Lord. Therefore, repentance is a change of mind that involves both a turning from sin and turning to God. Christ began his ministry with a call to repentance. (Mathew. 4:17). We must examine every attitude, every motive, every action and ever word of evil. Repentance means that you are deeply godly sorrowful and hurt about what you have done unto the Lord and that you are determined to do all that you can not to commit that sin again. “Repentance means we are sorry about our sin to the point of grief, and we have turned and walked away from it”. Stormie Omartian, “The Power of a Praying Woman” p. 40, Harvest House Publishers,(2002).
Join us for the remainder of the 40 Day Prayer Journey “Growing by the Power Within to Please God: Repenting for a Renewed Relationship With God”. Philippians 2:13.
The daily prayer points in this guide begin with stated scriptures applicable to the focus of the day. You are invited to seek God’s face to enable you to grow in the actions and thoughts that please God. You want to confess, repent and turn from actions and thoughts that grieve the Lord.
During the Forty Day Prayer Journey daily read the suggested scriptures. Meditate on the Word asking the Holy Spirit to speak to you and reveal in your heart how He wants you to respond personally and on behalf of your church or city. This is an opportunity for personal repentance. Ask the Lord to search your heart for thoughts and actions that are sinful. (Psalm 139:23-24) Allow the Lord to examine your life thoroughly.
Use a journal to write down what the Holy Spirit downloads in your heart.
DAY 22 – March 27- “Growing to Please God by Walking in Faith”
Scriptures: Matthew 21: 21-22; Mark 11:22-24; James 5: 14-16
Pray:
- Pray for God’s healing touch to be upon the sick in the community.
• Praise God for being trustworthy and that His Word will not return void.
• Ask God to give you the wisdom and will to increase your faith and to walk by faith.
• Thank God for His willingness to hear and answer the prayers you bring to Him in faith.
• Confess any lack of faith you may discover of yourself.
• For God to rise up men and women of integrity, faith and love to places of spiritual authority throughout the church and the city.
• Pray for the Youth- For people in their teens to radically commit their lives in Christ; to make wise choices; for older mentor; for solid friendships with their peers who are following Jesus; for open communication with parents; for God’s intentions for their generation to come forth in fullness measure.
DAY 23 – March 28- “Growing to Please God by Walking Together In Unity”
Scriptures: Psalm 133; John 17; Ephesians 4:1-6
Pray:
- Pray that you, your church and congregations over the city would grow in the unity of the Spirit, love, peace, and purpose so that the world might see the power of God manifested when the church comes together in the love of Christ.
• Pray that petty differences, ambitions and pride would be laid down for the sake of reflecting the purposes and character of Christ.
• Pray that all divisions, dissentions and disagreements that keep churches from walking together as the body of Christ cease and that forgiveness occurs.
• Pray for the heartbroken and lonely.
• Pray for those who are grieving because of death, divorce or lost.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict unsaved persons you know (name them), bringing them to repentance and faith and guiding them into all truth.
• Pray for forgiveness where the body of Christ has failed to walk together. Pray that by the power of the Holy Ghost that the body of Christ will be enabled and empowered to walk in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace.
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DAY 24 – March 29 – “Growing to Please God by Walking Together In the Body”
Scriptures: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:7-16
Pray:
- Pray for every member of the body of Christ to discover our place and come into proper relationship with the other members within your church home and in other congregations.
• Pray for each member to walk faithfully in God’s gifting and calling to build up others.
• Pray for each member within the body to accept, honor, and work together purposefully and in harmony with various parts of the body at Messiah or where God has joined us through the local congregation.
• Confess and ask God for forgiveness if you are guilty of withholding fellowship from those that are unlike you in personality, ethnic origin, or gifting within the body of Christ.
• Pray for those who have suffered calamity or crisis in their families. Pray that peace and unity bind affected families together in love.
• Pray for missionaries. Pray that God will provide favor, protection, resources and laborers.
• Pray that family members and friends will be a source of joy and blessing to each other.
• Pray that Christ’s life might be expressed freely through the body, properly functioning together in love.
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DAY 25 – March 30- Growing to Please God by Pursuing Reconciliation in Truth and Love
Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 5:12; Ephesians 2:16-18; Colossians 1:19-23
Pray:
- Pray for believers throughout our city to be burdened with Christ’s compelling love to be reconciled to one another.
• Pray that you be reconciled with anyone with whom you have had an argument or disagreement that keeps you separated from in the body of Christ or in the world.
• Pray for truth and love to cause individuals and congregations throughout the city to pursue reconciliation with those from whom they are separated or with whom they have suffered a break in relationship.
• Pray that the enemy of unity who works division by accusing brother against brother would be defeated by the power of love permeating throughout the church.
• Pray that your children and the children of the community will grow up in the training
and instruction of the Lord and will learn to walk in His ways.
• Pray for the church leaders. Pray that they will serve faithfully, humbly and with wisdom.
• Pray for Prisoner
• Pray that unsaved families, friends, and neighbors will hear the Word, receive it and respond in faith.
DAY 26 – March 31- “Growing to Please God by Pursuing Genuine Relationships through Fellowship”
Scriptures: Acts 2: 42-47; Galatians 2:1-10; Philippians 2:1-4
Pray:
- Intercede for the body of Christ to continue steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayer.
• Repent of declaring love for God while not living in love with brothers and sisters in the Lord.
• Pray that the church have a fresh conviction and commitment that brings them to pursue different relationships with those who are different from us in culture, race, ethnicity, and socio-economics.
• Praise God that He is a God of fellowship and communion and, as a good Father, He loves to draw His children together.
• Pray for persons with low self-esteem and those who feel unloved. Pray that they receive help of the Lord to trust in His unfailing love, to accept that love, and to abide in that love.
• Pray for the unemployed. Pray that God will meet the needs of those without work in a way that they can thank God for the provision; that they will soon find meaningful employment and glorify God for it. Pray for resources, family and social support, and encouragement.
• Pray that members of Messiah will lovingly bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
• Pray for marriages. Pray for those that are strained and that God will bring forgiveness, help and healing; that He will heal broken hearts and restore intimacy.
• Pray for the City Council. Pray that they will operate in integrity and wisdom.
DAY 27 – April 1- “Growing to Please God by Forgiving”
Scriptures: Mark 11:25-26; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:12-17
Pray:
- Repent of not forgiving those who have sinned against you and of walking in pride, superiority or opposition to others in the body of Christ.
• Pray that members of your church and yourself practice forgiveness, demonstrating the grace we each have received in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• Pray that you will grow in the knowledge of God’s Word for every aspect of your life.
• For God to rise up men and women of integrity, faith and love to places of spiritual authority throughout the church and the city.
• Pray for persons who feel rejected. Pray that they will know that the Lord will never forsake them and that He loves them.
• Pray for our nation and its leaders that they my rule with honor and wisdom and that wickedness in the leaders will be hindered so that all may lead quiet and peaceable lives.
• Pray for elderly persons. Pray that God’s strength and peace would be poured out on every one who is advanced in years. That they may be honored; that they may be cared for; that they may live to see their prayers answered; that loneliness be banished in lasting friendships and family bonds; that meaningful service be found.
• Pray for Women- that women will be honored in their unique glory as those created by God;that injustice of every kind toward women will cease; for pornography to be stopped; for protection from sexual violence; that single women would lay hold of the hope of great joy and purpose for God’s glory.
By Linda Fegins, The Prayer Leader.
