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Simple Prayer Journal – Repentance

Confession and Repentance

Repentance

Today we are going to prepare a Repentance page for our Simple Prayer Journal.  I know that most often people refer to this as confession time in their prayers and indeed it is just that.

I choose to use repentance because when we ask the Lord to forgive us of our sins, not only do we need to confess them, but we also need to repent of them.

1 John 1:9 

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Definitions

Confess – admit or state that one has committed a crime or is at fault in some way

Repent – feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one’s wrongdoing or sin

In other words, when we confess something we are simply admitting to it, but when we repent we are regretting that we did that sin and saying that we want to turn away from that sin.  We don’t want to do it again.

We are going to sin

Have you heard people use this excuse for sin:  “We’re all going to sin every day, it’s our sin nature.”

I hear that a lot and I am by no means anyone’s judge, and they can use that reference if they are comfortable doing us.

I am not comfortable doing that.  I am far from perfect, but based on God’s Word, once we are Christians, we make a choice to sin or not sin every single time, all day long.

Say “No” to Sin

We do sin way too often.  Once again, I am far from perfect.  Nevertheless, I believe that with the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, we can say “no” to sin.  The same sin does not have to be a part of our life day after day.  It is not easy, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can make the choice to say “no” to sin.  We have to stay alert and aware of the sin nature and what the enemy wants us to do.  And we must continually ask for God’s help to say “no”.

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Afterall, repentance is not asking the Lord to forgive us while intending to do that same sin again.

I say all that to say that I believe that when we confess our sins in prayer, that we are simply acknowledging them and asking God to forgive us of them.

Acts 3:19 

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

But, when we confess and repent, we are taking it a step further.  We are telling the Lord that we knew we sinned and that we don’t want to repeat that sin again.  We are asking for the Holy Spirit’s help in not committing that sin again.

If we confess a sin, knowing in our heart that we are just going to do that sin again, then is that really repentance?

Create your Repentance Page

For our Repentance page in our Simple Prayer Journal, we are going to simply write “Confession and Repentance” at the top of the page.  Print it, color it, create it on your computer, add a picture – the choice is yours.   Perhaps consider using the color red as a reminder that Jesus shed His blood for our sins.

May I encourage you to spend a few minutes during your daily prayer time to ask the Lord to forgive you of any sins in the last 24 hours.  Repent of them and ask Him to help you not to commit them again.

Each day, as you get to the Repentance time in your prayer, be sure to look deep into your hearts.  I know that this is not fun and it can be difficult.  I don’t like what I see when I do this, but it is so necessary.

Are there sins that you repeat over and over again?

Sins that you really want the Holy Spirit to free you from?  The Holy Spirit wants to help you.

Keep A Record

Put a date on your Repentance page and list the sin that is troubling you beside it.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you no longer commit that sin.

As God answers that prayer, be sure to come back to this part of your journal and write the answer(s) you receive.  I know that you will see Him working in your life.

This will serve as a wonderful reminder of God’s faithfulness in answering your prayers.  It will be so encouraging.

Coming up next

Our next post will share ideas for creating a Family page(s) for our Simple Prayer Journal.

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Be sure to check out this page for a list of (and links to) all of the posts in this Simple Prayer Journal series.

Subscribe to receive access to our free Printables.  We’ll send you a newsletter a couple times a month to let you know what new posts are available on our site.

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6 Comments

  1. I think this is a great idea too. I can’t wait to read more of your series. So nice to meet you in the Write 28 Days group.

    1. Thank you. It is so nice to meet you also. I love this Write 28 Days challenge.

  2. I like the idea of repentance page with date. What a great way to track how Holy Spirit is working.

    1. Yes, it is so encouraging to look back and see how God has worked in our lives.

  3. This is an important part of our life as Christians. It is a great plan to have a page in the prayer journal for repentance–we do need the reminder. God has given us a gift. We can confess our sins and be forgiven.

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