04/12/2027 – Christianpost.com: “10 biblical signs of what real repentance looks like.”
https://www.christianpost.com/voices/10-biblical-signs-real-repentance-church-leadership.html
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Comment: I submit that personal repentance prayer as believers is spiritually critical, even what many might call “minor” sins. All sins grieve our indwelling Holy Spirit. Enough said…, turn it to scripture:
| 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.” |
| Acts 3:19 | “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” |
| Romans 2:4 | “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” |
Psalm 51: 10:
“God, create a clean heart for me, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Ephesians 4:23-24
“to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Note – It’s a testament to God’s grace for new beginnings.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Explanation: A beautiful reminder of God’s unfailing love and compassion, which are renewed each day. This offers immense comfort and hope, assuring us that every morning brings a fresh opportunity for spiritual refreshing.
Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Explanation: This verse describes the ongoing process of spiritual growth, where our new self is continually renewed through increasing knowledge of God, becoming more like our Creator. It’s about a continuous spiritual transformation.
Isaiah 57:15
For this is what the high and exalted One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
Explanation: God, though exalted, chooses to dwell with the humble and contrite, promising to revive their spirits. This offers immense comfort to those feeling low, promising spiritual refreshing.
I try to stay mindful of “ACTS” , a suggested order for prayer: Adoration / Confession / Thanksgiving / Supplication. And also a constant reminder to leave out the “ACT”. Left to my own devices, I can fill the prayer with Supplication – prayer “requests”. (God forbid!). And how about the “T”: Our church community prays for a young child to be physically healed and the prayer is answered immediately. Listen to the Holy Spirit: Pray prayers of Thanksgiving for days, if not weeks, months… I am not going to let go of keeping my prayer requests on a spreadsheet, with separate sheets for daily, weekly and monthly.
Example: Can I pray 900 separate prayers in a day? How about 30 prayers daily, once a month, a total of 900 separate prayers. Different picture, no? Note to self: “Just do it!”
Lastly, I think we should have community prayers of repentance that precede the distribution of communion in worship, voiced in unison.