(Click here to read the introduction to "A Culture of Prayer")
Repentance
This week the focus of our collective prayer is on Repentance. One verse we spoke about on Sunday was 1 Peter 3:9, which says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." He doesn't want anyone to perish--he is love after all! But what does he want us to do? Come to repentance. Apparently, coming to repentance is the way out of death--now and forever.
As you pray this week, meditate on what the bible says about repentance. May we continue to become children that live lives of joyful repentance leading to life.
Below are some verses and quotes that you can meditate on.
1 Peter 3:9 | "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Acts 2:38 | Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Luke 5:32 | "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."
Luke 15:7 | "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
Romans 2:4 | "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
“Repentance is not feeling bad and trying harder; it is choosing the vulnerability of relationship with God over the “safety” and pleasures of independence.” -Greg Mitchell
"Legalistic remorse says, 'I broke God's rules,' while real repentance says, 'I broke God's heart.'" -Tim Keller