Prayer, Plain and Simple

Prayer, Plain and Simple

Confession to Absolution

posted by Mark Herringshaw

The work of repentance begins with confession. Confession is agreeing with God about my condition. I have asked God to search my heart and to show me sin. I have acknowledged this in detail and confessed the specifics to him. Now I go the next step…

“If we confess our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

“Lord, I have confessed my sin to you, according to the Light of your Spirit shining in my life the specific law of your Word. I now ask for mercy. David himself, when he saw his sinfulness turned toward you not away from you. He asked for pardon. ‘Have mercy on me oh God, according to you never failing love.’ I see my sin and it is clear before me. Now I ask you to cleanse me and pardon the guilt. I lean now upon the work that you have already done in this. I am not asking for some fluky accident, or for you to randomly forget your justice. No! I am asking you to credit to me the pardon purchased by Jesus on the cross, that my sin would be substituted for his righteousness. I embrace this exchange in all the specifics I have acknowledged. I accept the exchange… I am pardoned and with that, cleansed and liberated and washed pure and made new!”



You Might Also Like...
Previous Posts

“I Need a Job” - A Prayer
"Lord, you know I need work. I want to do my part and carry my weight. I’m not asking for a handout; but I do need your help landing the right employment. It’s been too long and I’m feeling frustrated. You know exactly the situation that fits my skills, my interests and my experience. You know

posted 2:02:50pm Mar. 28, 2013 | read full post »

Super Bowl Power Outage: Let There Be Light - a Prayer
“God, light matters. We need light and when light goes out, we’re thrown into confusion and even fear. When power fades or goes out, we need to turn to you. God, you are our power source. You are the source of light. As the lights have gone out in the Super Bowl it reminds us that you alone are

posted 8:52:33pm Feb. 03, 2013 | read full post »

SAD: A Prayer for Joy and 'Vitamin G’
“God, I need vitamin D, but even more I need ‘vitamin G.’ Today, I am heavy with sadness. These winter days are gloomy and cold and I crave the light. I was made for light. Even my body knows this. I need the vitamin D that comes from light, and now, in the shadows I feel pushed down and heavy

posted 6:58:33am Jan. 30, 2013 | read full post »

Egypt: A Prayer
“God, today we pray for Egypt, a nation one again in great turmoil. Save Egypt from violence and despair. You love this land, and always have, even when that love demanded your hand of discipline and judgment. Egypt along the Nile is intricately woven into the fabric of our histories together. It

posted 8:15:16am Jan. 29, 2013 | read full post »

Good Coffee: A Prayer of Thanks for Simple Pleasures
“Oh God, you are so creative and generous. The delicious cup of coffee I’m enjoying this morning has to be one of your great inventions. Thank you. I remember (as James reminds me – James 1:17) that every good and perfect gift comes from my Father, from You! Coffee is good, very good, as you s

posted 6:37:33am Jan. 25, 2013 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(1)
post a comment

Pingback: Confession « Let Justice Roll

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.





Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.