Monday, August 3: Repentance

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

REPENTANCE: This word communicates the idea of turning. It is a re-orientation of the heart and mind. It is an inward change of direction, focus, or desire. This inward turning results in an outward turning — a turning from sin to surrender. Repentance is an inward change of heart that results in the outward action of abandoning sin and pursuing righteousness.

Sin is found in our own hearts, in our churches, and in our society. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, we learn that repentance of sin is required for God to hear our cries and prayers. In other words, it is impossible to smuggle our sin into God’s presence. Unless we are willing to confess the sin in our lives and surrender to Jesus, then we might as well pray into a muted microphone. So, let’s quit trying to smuggle our sin. Let’s confess it. Let’s repent of it and experience the renewal that comes from God’s presence and power!

PRAYER POINTS

• Ask God to lead us to pursue His presence and power in prayer with repentance.
• Ask God to search our hearts and reveal any and all sin in our lives.
• Confess any and all known sin in your life. Confess sin in our churches. Confess sin in our society.