A Lenten Prayer

Context: Lent has historically been a season of self-reflection. We reflect and lament remaining sin in the life of the Christian, with our eyes fixated upon the coming resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Struggling with remaining sin in the life of the Christian is a hard reality that may cause distress and consternation because there is an acute awareness of our failings and God’s holiness. For this reason, this prayer is intended to support and comfort those who feel overwhelmed by their sin and offer the comforting reassurance that Jesus has paid for their sins–past, present and future. 

 Gracious Lord and Heavenly Father, 

I approach you today, as a child would his Father, needy and broken, once again, over my sin. I feel stuck, wondering if change is truly possible. 

Shame, self-pity, confusion, defeat, and unworthiness cloud my conscience. Akin to our first parents in Eden, I do not want to draw near to the presence of the Lord, rather I want to hide away from it. (1) 

In your word, you have written, that your children may boldly approach your 

throne of grace (2), not on the merits of our obedience, but on the merits of your Son, the 

Lord Jesus Christ. 

His life is the One on whom, once again, I am dependent. Breath by breath, moment by moment, I depend upon His perfect, finished righteousness (3). Help me to rest, at this moment, in this righteousness. 

Heavenly Father, I pray and plead that you would give me the aid necessary to deal with my sin, in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit (4). 

Would you reawaken faith in me to get back in the fight, to keep running this race, until and at last, I see your Son face to face (5)? 

 Would you lead me to that ancient location, Calvary’s tree, where I see sin’s costliness, heinousness and the pardon offered me?

Would you guide me to the empty tomb, Heavenly Father–that historic place, wherein the power of the Spirit is gloriously displayed (6)?

Would you remind me that you have paid for my sin—even this one I have committed, once again (7)?

Would you assure me that you are sovereign, even over this moment, and my sanctification and that you are determined to finish what you have started (8)? 

In this moment, I lay hold of that gospel promise that Jesus is tender towards sinners, and that He wills for me, even now, to draw near to Him. With what small faith I have, as small as a mustard seed, I choose to trust and believe that only Jesus has the power to make me clean and whole (9).

And once again, would you pardon my sin, not for my sake, but for your Son’s sake alone (10)? 

I pray all this in His name, 

Amen.  

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^[1] Gen 2:8

^[2] Eph 2:18, Heb 4:14-16

^[3] Rom 1:16-17, 5:19

^[4] Rom 8:12-14, Col 3:1-5

^[5] 1 Cor 9:27, 1 Peter 2:11, 2 Tim 4:7-8

^[6]Eph 1:19-20, Rom 6:4

^[7] Isa 53:6, Matt 1:21

^[8] Lev 20:8, Phil 1:6, 1 Thess 4:2, 5:23-24

^[9] Matt 8:1-3, 1 John 1:9

^[1]10 Isa 55:7