Feb 5, 2022
Spiritual Nourishment (WhatsApp Fellowship)
REPENTANCE – Prayer Model from the scriptures
I was looking into the important ( but probably overlooked) issue of repentance
- A fundamental engagement for every Christian
… as it appropriately positions us for a fruitful engagement with Jehovah Lord.
Otherwise one may find themselves laboring in vain
…and be surprised in the end when the Lord declares – I don’t know you!
Basically, hindered prayers (sacrifices) are wasted prayers (sacrifices)!!
… as the Lord is only pleased with sacrifices offered in righteousness
… as was seen with the acceptable sacrifice of Able vs the rejected sacrifice of Cain…Genesis 4
Hebrews 11:4
- By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
The question then becomes:
- Am I also offering sacrifices to the Lord that are a waste of time?
Or
- What is it that I do with so much zeal, but that is not even being considered in heaven?
For there is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death… Proverbs 14:12
I for example just learnt of a few fundamental prayers guidelines on repentance form the Word a few months back
… aspects I did not know,
… possibly waiting to be taught (spoon fed) as was with other prayers like -The Our Father
… Indicating as well the importance of reading and understanding the Word of God for oneself
… with insight and revelation from the Holy
…or run the risk of – perishing for lack of knowledge or understanding.
Therefore, I have now ensured that my 8 year old has learnt the likes of Psalm 51, knowing it just as much as he knows – The Our Father – prayer.
Below are just a couple of sample prayers from the Word that cover aspects of repentance,
…t hat tap into the significance of praying the Word of God ( returning His Word back to Him).
It is basically, as well, to open up points of discussion on the issue of repentance
…so that we can all gain insight and cover any gaps we may have on the fundamental issue of repentance.
Be blessed all ….
And welcome to today’s sharing…
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Isaiah 59 – Our sin is what separates us from God
Isaiah 59…
…Gives some insight into why God may not be hearing us or acting on our behalf.
Despite being a church going, praying, trying to do the right thing kind of Christian!
My sin and iniquity is what ‘holds’ the hands and ‘closes’ the ears of God!
So there can be no justice and righteousness executed on my behalf by the Lord…
…especially against my enemies (and the accuser of the brethren).
Sin also hinders my getting appropriate insight or revelation into my situation…
…hence I fight a battle in the dark
…without spiritual insight
… for life is first and foremost spiritual
… as we fight not against flesh and blood…Ephesians 6:12
Therefore I cannot get justice and I find deliverance ineffective
…because my sins testify against me.
But through repentance
…I can allow God back into the situation.
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Sample Isaiah 59 Prayer
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor His ear too dull to hear.
But my iniquities have separated me from my God;
my sins have hidden His face from me, so that He will not hear.
So justice is far from me,
and righteousness does not reach me.
I look for light, but all is darkness;
for brightness, but I walk in deep shadows.
Like the blind I grope along the wall,
feeling my way like people without eyes.
At midday I stumble as if it were twilight;
among the strong, am like the dead.
I growl like a bear;
I moan mournfully like a dove.
I look for justice, but find none;
for deliverance, but it is far away.
For my offenses are many in Your sight,
and my sins testify against me.
My offenses are ever with me,
and I acknowledge my iniquities:
rebellion and treachery against the Lord,
turning my back on my God,
inciting revolt and oppression,
uttering lies my heart has conceived.
So justice is driven back,
and righteousness stands at a distance;
truth has stumbled in the streets,
honesty cannot enter.
The Redeemer will come to Zion
to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”declares the Lord.
I acknowledge my sin and repent of each of them
And invite the Spirit of the Lord back into His Temple
May the Spirit of the Lord that is on me
Not depart from me
And His Words that He has put in my mouth be always on my lips
On the lips of my children
and on the lips of their decendants
from this time on and forever.
Amen!!
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Psalm 51
A model prayer on repentance that I think should be fundamental knowledge to every Christian…
…I believe as essential and close to the the model prayer of – The Our Father – that was given by Jesus Himself.
It covers different aspects on repentance, including:
- It is about the amazing love, mercy and grace of God
… to cleanse me from all my sin, transgression and iniquity
- Acknowledging of my faults
… and the righteous judgement of God
…with no place for self righteousness
- The importance of a clean heart
.. in hosting the Spirit of God in us
… and being allowed into the presence of God
… for the pure in heart are the ones blessed to see God… Matthew 5:8
- The joys of salvation can then be experienced again
…And my life can also then be an example through which
…others can taste and see that the Lord is good in me and through me
… as I become salt and light of world
… and they can be adequately convince to follow my ways (advice) as I point them to Christ.
First and foremost
… A broken and contrite heart is what the Lord is looking for in us
… then the Lord will be pleased with our sacrifices that are then offered in righteousness
…and He is more than willing to restore and prosper us
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Psalm 51 Prayer (AMPC)
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to the multitude of Your tender mercy and loving-kindness blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly [and repeatedly] from my iniquity and guilt and cleanse me and make me wholly pure from my sin!
3 For I am conscious of my transgressions and I acknowledge them; my sin is ever before me.
4 Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean [ceremonially]; wash me, and I shall [in reality] be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness and be satisfied; let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my guilt and iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness and death, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness (Your rightness and Your justice).
15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16 For You delight not in sacrifice, or else would I give it; You find no pleasure in burnt offering.
17 My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable] to God is a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart [broken down with sorrow for sin and humbly and thoroughly penitent], such, O God, You will not despise.
18 Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then will You delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, justice, and right, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then bullocks will be offered upon Your altar.
Amen!!
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” Til sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet!” ~ Thomas Watson
If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened…Psalm 66:18
The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy … Proverbs 28:13
I thank You Lord for Your promises…
That as I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness… 1 John 1:9
That I, as counted among a people called by Your Name, humble myself and pray, seek Your Face and turn from my wicked ways, …You will hear from heaven, forgive my sin and heal the land… 2 Chronicles 7:14
Help me O Lord, to rend my heart and not my garments, to return to the Lord my God,
…for You are gracious and merciful
… slow to anger, and of great kindness:
And You relent from doing harm
…. Joel 2:13
Search me, O God and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting
… Psalm 139:23-24
Grant oh Lord God Almighty
…by Your mercy and grace
That I may ascend into the Hill of the Lord
…and stand in Your Holy Presence
… with clean hands and a pure heart
… having not lifted my soul to an idol nor having sworn deceitfully
… able to receive the blessing from the Lord
… and righteousness from the God of my salvation
… as part of the Jacob generation
… that seek the Face of the Lord.
- Psalm 24:3-6
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing and acceptable to You, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer… Psalm 19:14
AMEN!!
THE LIVING WORD 4 LIFE 