Prayers For Humility And Repentance
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, it is so easy for me to be judgmental and angry concerning the sin of our nation; but you called me to stand in the gap and pray for the lost and misguided souls all around me. Give me a heart for people. Give me a burning desire to share Your message of love and forgiveness that comes only to those who will seek You will a repentant heart.
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:12-13 (NIV)
REFLECT:
Growing up, our family went to church every Sunday, Sunday night, and every Wednesday. We believed and followed Jesus and were committed to the Bible as the only word of truth. My personal commitment to Jesus grew out of my family’s devotion. But my personal turning point of repenting and following Christ came in late elementary school during a week at the United Christian Church Camp. That would prove to be the real beginning of faith for me. Even though mine was a juvenile understanding and commitment at that time, the seed of faith planted continued to grow. During this same time, I was convinced that we were living in a “Christian Nation” where almost everyone believed in and loved Jesus just like us. As I grew older, I soon discovered that our nation was nowhere near being “Christian.” The truth be told, I discovered we never were.
Even though Christianity continues to be the dominate religion, our country would more accurately be described as secular, where God is considered by many to be irrelevant. What can we do as Christ Followers to make a difference concerning our national sin of rejecting God? Pray! Especially right now with the plight of children being killed in abortion. Pray for Abortionists and staff working in the Abortion Industry. Pray that they will humble themselves and repent and turn to God! He is gracious and compassionate and abounding in love toward those who repent and follow His will.
APPLY:
Spend a ten-minutes in meditation, focused on the following verse: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9 NLT) Take time to pray for our national leaders and those blinded to God’s will. Ask God to open their eyes and turn to Him.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for everything. I pray that I listen to your spirit and Word today. Help me to honor you in everything I do.
WORSHIP: