Prepare your heart for fellowship with God (Psalm 23:3-5). Begin your prayer with the confession of any known sin in your life (1 John 3:21-22; Hebrews 10:19). In confession of sin, we tell God with our mouths specifically what we did, or we acknowledge what we failed to do that we should have done. This is necessary to restore communion with God and is a preparation for further fellowship with Him.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness…and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:9, 7). There is nothing that you will ever think, say, or do that cannot be washed away. You can be “white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). You can be made completely new inside, but only Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross can give you this freedom from your sins. His death is of infinite value, because He who never sinned gave Himself as a sacrifice in your place. He alone can make and keep you pure within. It is but one simple prayer to make it your own.
If you have not forgiven others who have offended or hurt you, forgive them as God has forgiven you (Mark 11:25-26). Then see yourself as dead to sin and sinless in the eyes of God (Romans 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:21). In this way the blood of Jesus cleanses us and prepares us to really relate to God.
This article is part two in our 8-part series on Prayer.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness…and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:9, 7). There is nothing that you will ever think, say, or do that cannot be washed away. You can be “white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). You can be made completely new inside, but only Jesus’ death on Calvary’s cross can give you this freedom from your sins. His death is of infinite value, because He who never sinned gave Himself as a sacrifice in your place. He alone can make and keep you pure within. It is but one simple prayer to make it your own.
If you have not forgiven others who have offended or hurt you, forgive them as God has forgiven you (Mark 11:25-26). Then see yourself as dead to sin and sinless in the eyes of God (Romans 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:21). In this way the blood of Jesus cleanses us and prepares us to really relate to God.
- Lance Wubbels
This article is part two in our 8-part series on Prayer.
(Taken from “A Time for Prayer” published by Inspired Faith for the National Day of Prayer – used with permission.)
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