(Editor’s Note: This is the second in a four-part part series on how to pray using the elements found in the P.R.A.Y. acronym: P - Praise, R - Repent, A - Ask, Y - Yield. Find the other posts at www.councilroadwomen.org)
Repentance in and of itself is an interesting thing. Did you know it is both a noun and a verb? By definition, the noun form refers to sincere regret or remorse, while in the verb form it means to turn from sin; to feel regret; to change one's mind; to feel sorrow for. From this short grammar lesson, I realize that repentance is both a state of mind for me to embrace and an activity for me to take part in.
When our children were young and in conflict with one another, we had a certain way for them to make things right. We asked the one who was the “offender” to go to the “offended” and do two specific things: 1) admit what they did to their sibling and 2) ask for forgiveness. (i.e. “I’m sorry I took the toy from you. Will you forgive me.”) Why did we prefer this method over a simple, “Sorry.”? Naming the offense does a couple of things: it acknowledges that you accept responsibility for exactly what you did and requires humility to ask for forgiveness. We also expected the one offended to look the offender in the eye and say, “I forgive you.” (And we tried to top it off with a hug, which sometimes turned into giggling, laughing and playing again, if we were lucky…but not always.)
In my example with the kids, which one had the harder job? I’d make the case they were both pretty difficult. It’s extremely hard to lower our pride (which is a shift in mindset), admit we’ve hurt someone (especially when we feel justified) and ask for their forgiveness. Yet, it’s also difficult to give the gift of forgiveness when we’ve been wounded. I’m sure you can remember times when you’ve been on both ends of the apology spectrum when dealing with other imperfect humans…but what about with God?
When we sin against the Almighty God, we commit wrong against someone who is absolutely faultless, perfect in every way. Yet, as believers in Jesus who have a relationship with Him, we are given a divine promise in 1 John 1:9,
When we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
Let’s let that sink in: every time we confess our sin (repent), He (God) will (that’s the promise) forgive us and, on top of forgiving us, He (and only He can do this) will cleanse us from the inside, making us righteous because of Jesus.
When I sin against my husband and ask for his forgiveness, he can (and does) forgive me for the offense or attitude I had against him. He still loves me in spite of my shortcomings and we experience a better relationship when we repent, give and receive forgiveness. However, one thing he can never do, no matter how much he loves me or how long we’ve been married, is wipe the slate completely clean, as though I have never done anything wrong. No human can, it’s just not possible. We can forgive and truly mean it, but we can’t make one another righteous. We can choose not to hold a grudge, but we can’t erase the past. This is why the words of scripture are so transformative, so miraculous.
When scripture says God cleanses us of all unrighteousness, it literally means God sees us as though we “have acted in accordance with divine or moral law; free from guilt or sin”. Because God sees Jesus covering us, even though we are far from accordance with moral law, He sees us as though we are morally pure. So the question I’m asking all of us this week is why do we hesitate to go to God in repentance, when such a great gift is in store? Take some time and ask yourself what keeps you from running to God for repentance and inadvertently from the freedom of receiving His righteousness?
As you spend time in prayer this week remember to run to the Father, to repent and receive His promised forgiveness. When we take Him up on this amazing offer, our relationship with Him is more intimate and we walk in freedom from shame.
Meet the Author!
Heather McAnear is a wife, mom, author and speaker with a passion for sharing God's truth to help women understand their uniquely beautiful design and how to use it for God's glory! In fact, Heather hosts the Uniquely Beautiful Stories podcast on iTunes in hopes do just that! She loves teaching young married couples with her husband, time with her three teen-aged children, traveling, enjoying good chocolate and long conversations in coffee shops. CRBC has been her church home for more than two decades and serving on the Women's Ministry team has been one of her greatest joys!