Prayer

Forgive me Lord

In my life I have sinned;

I have profoundly failed to love you with all my heart, soul and strength. Sometimes I’m not even sure how to go about that. I’m so thankful that Jesus showed us and taught us many ways to show our love for you. Knowing that we demonstrate our love to you by obeying your commands is a great comfort, but also the source of pointing up my own sin, for many so times I have been disobedient.

I have worshipped idols before you Lord. Forgive me. Not an idol carved of wood or stone, but one even more pervasive. I have poured my time and energy into my work in anticipation of a result that would provide for me far beyond my needs. Just as surely as if I had thrown jewelry into the fire and out sprang a golden calf, I have thrown a significant amount of the gifts you have given me to edify you, into a purpose of my own. Although, I might not be seen as rich by my peers, I certainly am by the standards of the rest of the world. I could be the source of many cups of cold water for your thirsty children and not one has left my hand today.

I have besmirched your name Lord because I am one who calls myself a follower of yours. How broken your heart must be to see how one who associates with your name behaves.

I have failed to recognize your Holy nature and along with my culture have missed an opportunity to be obedient to your commands by not keeping your Sabbath, which we who call ourselves Christians now celebrate on Sunday. Although I may not do work on that day I may go out to eat and therefore cause or encourage another of your children to be disobedient. Your instruction, after all was to let our household and servants, even aliens among us, enjoy your appointed day of rest.

How many times, Lord, did I dishonor and disrespect my parents when they were walking this earth?

I have been angry with my brother and therefore guilty of murder.

I have looked lustfully at a woman, and therefore disrespected one of your precious children, and committed adultery in my heart.

Although no one who belongs to you can have their joy stolen from them, I have attempted to steal joy out the lives of others of your children through my self -centered nature.

Sometimes I have spoken out of my own opinion or from my own perspective and therefore falsely accused another in my ignorance.

My natural self so many times has looked covetously at what belonged to another.

I have grumbled during trials, refusing to allow you to refine my faith through them, I have been slow to listen and quick to speak, I have failed to intercede in prayer for the hurting and lost, I have not been devoted to prayer, I have pointed out the mote in my brother’s eye while refusing to see the plank in my own.

 

I have failed to allow the peace of Christ to dwell in my heart, been loath to sow in peace and raise a harvest of righteousness. I have thought about things other than that which I know to be right, pure, lovely and admirable.

All these things and more Lord, I have done in my life TODAY.

In brokenness I ask your forgiveness. I am at the mercy of your grace alone. There is no deed I can do, or ritual I can perform or seek to have performed by others on my behalf, that will wash my sin before you, God. Only the blood of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Thank you, Jesus for the shed blood of Calvary. Move among us Lord. Without You, we have no other hope.

In your Precious and Holy Name we pray.

Amen.

 

Done