Spiritual Transformation - Key #1c

June 19, 2007 | Filed Under books, georges boujakly, prayer, spiritual formation |

diary-of-prayer.jpgThe Art of Telling God on Yourself.

In light of the previous post I want to share a helpful prayer of confession. It is inspired by John Baillie in his Diary of Private Prayer - day eleven:

Merciful heart of God, in true repentance, I now open my heart to you. Help me not to hide anything from you as I (”we” if prayed in community) pray. The truth of my sinfulness is humbling to me, but I take courage that I am confessing in your merciful presence. What I committed in shame I now confess in shame. In your wisdom use the pain of my confession to make me hate the sins I confess. The suspension mark (…) is where you can be specific.

When it comes to doing what is good; I confess to being lazy . . .

When it comes to being humble in the face of these life situations; I confess to being full of pride . . .

When it comes to being self-controlled in these areas of my life; I confess to having indulged myself . . .

When it comes to being true; I confess that I have committed these falsehoods . . .

When it comes to being honest; I confess my dishonesty . . .

When it comes to letting every word I speak edify and bring healing in these situations; I confess to using uncharitable words . . .

When it comes to keeping my thoughts pure; I confess to harboring evil thoughts . . .

When it comes to being disciplined about my walk with you; I confess to being unfaithful . . .

When it comes to choosing the right ways of God; I confess that I have been taking the wrong direction . . .

When it comes to living as your child; I confess the biggest sin of all, the sin of not trusting you with all of my life . . .

O God whose love can burn all that is shameful and evil in me, apply now the righteousness of Jesus Christ to me. Cover my sin and cleanse the stain of my past misdeeds. Loosen the hold of evil habits on my life and give me strength to be pure-hearted. Lead me in battle O God against my secret sins. Let Christ be formed in my heart through faith.

Sin breaks the relationship of trust God yearns to establish with us. Before it is breaking the moral or legal laws, sin is breaking the law of love. The law comes in merely to clarify where love is breaking down (stealing, lying, murder, etc.). Defining sin by ignoring love misses what sin really is. At its core sin is relational.

The solution to sin is confession and confession is possible because we have a loving God who loves to forgive. Even more than we dare ask or think! Walking with the Master is the way of confession and forgiveness (1 John 1: 5-10).

It is learning the art of telling God on yourself.

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  1. A Prayer of Confession « The Colorful Journey October 9, 2007 4:49 pm

    [...] reading a  a great series on Spritual Transformation over at the Missional Church Network. I found this prayer of confession. If you want to check out the whole series check out the Spiritual Formation Category at MCM. I am [...]