Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
I was trying to figure out why this prayer resonated with so many?
I believe it’s because we are wired for repentance. Deep down we know we need to repent.
Repentance doesn’t mean “getting our act together.” It doesn’t mean being more religious and doing good. Repentance in the Bible literally means to “turn around.” To go in a new direction. We turn from doing life our own selfish way to doing life God’s way, the way He designed us to live. The way that leads to abundant life.
There is no doubt that there is deep sorrow and regret when it comes to repentance but there is more. There is a turning (or returning) to God for forgiveness, for new life, for new desires to do His will and walk in His ways for His glory. It is then, and only then, we are living the abundant life we were created for.
