A Prayer For Forgiveness

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,

for your sins have brought you down.

Bring your confessions, and return to the LORD.

Say to him,

“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,

so that we may offer you our praises.

Assyria cannot save us,

nor can our warhorses.

Never again will we say to the idols we have made,

‘You are our gods.’

No, in you alone

do the orphans find mercy.”

Hosea 14:1-3

After describing God’s fierce anger over Israel’s idols, the prophet Hosea made it clear that God would still welcome his people if they returned to him in humility and repentance. Hosea even taught the Israelites the prayer they should use when they returned to God. They were to turn away from their idols and confess to God that he alone could save them. Only the Lord deserved their adoration and worship.

When you are tempted to trust in your own strength and resources, come to God in humility. Recommit yourself to him and pray for his forgiveness. And know that he will graciously receive all those who genuinely repent and turn to him.

• Dear Lord, forgive all my sins and graciously receive me, so that I may offer you my praises . . .