Bible Prayers and Promises are an important discovery. In our Prayers and Promises Bible study this week we read chapters 3 and 4 we learned about the Prayers of Praise and the Prayers of Repentance.

As I read my workbook, I found the prayers of repentance very interesting because I am reading a daily devotional that begins with repentance. It’s 365 days of repentance, on many topics. And it’s a refreshing way to start the day! We repent from a place of love, not guilt.

In our workbook chapter three, we learned, “There’s no one like God when it comes to problem-solving.” What problem has God solved for you?

When my kids were in a Christian school my husband lost his job to Silicon Valley layoffs. So I prayed for provision to keep them in school. Then we found unexpected money- such as a sudden tax refund, a huge severance bonus, and checks in the mail that were unexpected.

During another layoff, after prayer, the Lord showed me how to create bracelets and sell them to keep my kids in school. I created sterling silver Scripture Bracelets and Awareness Bracelets for Autism and Cancer. The Lord is my provider. And I loved my job working from home.

Sometimes though, we “praise rather than spew” our prayers to God. Lamenting prayers or spewing prayers are sometimes necessary but should not be the primary method of prayer.

In the Book of Job, when the poor man had every reason to spew, he limited his complaints to self-blame, never blaming God. Spewing can misdirect our pain and blame God if we are not careful. It opens a doorway for the devil to come at us with lies. But praising is God-focused, and loving Him. Which one will you choose next time? To complain or to love??

Be careful when spewing that you are not creating unintentional curses upon someone.

Your mouth carries life and death… use it wisely. -Christine Abraham

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Prov 18:21 NKJV

Sometimes, as we learned this week, self-sufficiency is a problem. We are designed as body, soul, and spirit so there is no room for self-sufficiency as we were created in God’s image. We recognize this when we lean heavily on the mind/intelligence or on advice from people, rather than seeking wisdom from the Bible and from prayer.

Most friends do not advise us to repent. But as we pray we discover how Repentance restores holiness. We need that daily, not once a week at confession or once a year when we have a big sin. We then receive the personal experience of not pulling away from God because of our shame.

Who moved? It was not the Father.

Who repented? She is the one who moved back and closer to Him again.

It is a healthy decision to repent and to pray.

Is there someone in your life who lovingly convicts you of sin, such as a prophet, preacher, elder, or friend? I had a spiritual father in my life who mentored me for 12 years. An older gentleman, he was a former missionary and a church founder. He was able to convict me because he earned my trust.

In the Bible, Nathan was able to confront King David because the king knew God anointed this man. We are wise to seek someone who is anointed/spirit-driven and not driven by selfish ambitions or a need for power.

Friends can become Jezebels. Elders can have a secret life. Preachers can have hidden motives. Prophets can be false. -Christine Abraham

So we need to know with 100% certainty the heart of the person confronting us is PURE. That special position is earned and tested over time.

Repentance is a personal decision that draws my heart closer to God, as I free myself from my limitations and distractions. It takes the focus off me and puts it back on Him. It’s a decision to stop my behavior.

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

You can access the entire Prayers and Promises of the Bible course on-demand at Bible Cafe™ University.

…

Christine Abraham writes for the Bible Cafe™ community. Learn about living by the Fruit of the Spirit as you enjoy her online Bible studies. Join Christine at the Bible Cafe™ University for weekly Bible teaching.