Repent

Usuing the acronym PRAY on a method of prayer, we examined "P" yesterday: “P” for praise. Today it is “R” for repent.

After we’ve praised and thanked God for Who He is and all He’s done for us, then it is appropriate to contrast ourselves with Him, recognizing our sins, faults, imperfections – whatever you want to call them. Repent, a decision to do a 180, to turn around and go in a different direction, to turn from self to God. After recognizing God’s greatness, it is easier to see our sin and be drawn to “turn the other direction” in our prayer process.

A prime example is the prophet Isaiah as described in chapter 6. Isaiah “saw the Lord,” attended by mighty angels who were calling out, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!”
Isaiah’s response: “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”

When we take the time to get a good look at God (through the Bible) and allow Him to search our hearts (Psalm 139:23-24), we’ll see plenty of which to repent. Self-centeredness. Lack of love. An unforgiving spirit. Lust. Greed. Pride. Worry. Lazy approach to knowing God. Have I missed anyone?

Repenting is recognizing our sin, taking responsibility for it, asking or thanking God for His forgiveness, trying to make the situation right and not repeating the same mistake.

Back to Isaiah. His repentance: Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Isaiah’s repentance was met by God’s forgiveness. No more guilt. And willingness to be and do whatever the Lord directs, as Isaiah responded to the Lord’s question – “Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

Look at God. Know God more deeply. View His holiness throughout Scripture. Allow our God-gaze to shift to self. See our “unholiness.” Repent. Fellowship with God is deepened, laying the foundation for powerful and effective prayer.
P-Praise. R -Repent. And tomorrow it is A in the acronym PRAY.