Forgiveness From God

GRACIOUS AND FORGIVING GOD, you see my heart. You know I sometimes try to convince myself I haven’t sinned, although the truth is that I am only fooling myself. I might blame others for things I have brought upon myself. Help me instead to admit my sin and turn my heart toward you, my loving Father and kind Shepherd.

Maybe there’s something I wish I hadn’t done. Maybe it’s something I wish I had done. Thank you that I don’t need to be mired in remorse or regret. When your Spirit lives in my heart, these instructive feelings can become part of a healthy sorrow that leads me away from sin and pushes me toward restoration with you.

You are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You have assured us that if we confess our sins to you, you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Thank you, God, for this wonderful gift offered to us—to be cleansed from the inside out. You alone can do it.