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Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Prayerful Situations: Sin, looks at ways to pray when we or others fall from grace.
Show Notes: Prayerful Situations: Sin
Years ago, I sat in the women’s Wednesday night class, praying I could sink through the floor. A revelation flooded my mind during the lesson and rocked me inside and out.
I was a Pharisee.
You know the kind Jesus didn’t take too kindly too? Self-righteous. Hypocritical. Matthew 23:1-36 is a long discourse by Jesus about the Scribes and Pharisees and He didn’t mince words. Verse 12 says it all, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
I was being humbled right there in the classroom. When the teacher asked what we thought of the lesson, I admitted to the other ladies what I knew was true. I was a Pharisee. A person who looked at myself through rose-colored glasses while looking at others through a magnifying glass. And it was a sin.
When the idea first formed to have prayer as the topic of the season 2 podcast, I had no idea how deep I would have to dig and how painful it would be. I cringe as I type these words. What do you do, how do you pray, when sin invades your life? How do you dance when you can’t look your dance partner in the eyes anymore?
And what if sin invades the lives of people in your world? I don’t know about you but deep down I don’t like doing wrong or people doing wrong against me or my family. Especially my family. I get angry. Unforgiving. The shame, guilt, and sadness consume me inside and out. So, how do we pray?
Three words came to mind:
- Forgiveness. (a) We pray for forgiveness concerning what we’ve done. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We confess, He forgives, and cleanses. Like it never even happened. (b) We pray for the ability to forgive others. Acknowledge what was done against us or others we know. Choose to forgive, then let go of any grudges or bitterness. And keep choosing and letting go if we need to do so more than once. (c) We pray for the ability to forgive ourselves. For me, it’s hard because of my perfectionist tendencies. We admit what we’ve done, apologize if applicable, and receive God’s love. He truly removes our sin as far as the east is from the west.
- (a) Pray against sin and temptation for ourselves and others. In Matthew 6:13, Jesus says in the Lord’s prayer, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” We believe God can protect us and shine a light on temptation before we are snared. (b) Pray for clarity, wisdom, discernment, and strength when you find yourself or others in difficult situations. God can order our steps if we ask in faith and follow His path.
- (a) Pray for mercy and grace for yourself and others. His mercy, compassion, and kindness when He could punish. His grace is unmerited favor from God that we don’t deserve. For we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and we all need His grace and mercy. (b) Pray for healing for yourself and others. James 5:16 says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed…” God asks for our confession so He can restore our souls through healing. And the key words, pray for one another, are the reason we not only pray for ourselves but for all people so they can see restoration too.
The ladies in the Wednesday night class were surprised when I confessed my sin of being like the Pharisees but they surrounded me with love and prayer. God forgave me when I asked, and the clear recollection of that day comes to me at times when I’m feeling self-righteous again. He’s restored me beyond what I could imagine. Wouldn’t it be selfish of me not to pray the same for others? Even when they hurt me or my loved ones. Forgiveness is not easy but necessary so we can continue to be on the dance floor with Father God. I want to dance and invite others to join in, spinning and twirling to God’s music of love.
Let’s pray: Father God, thank you for offering forgiveness for the sin that so easily besets us. Help us to have clarity, wisdom, discernment, and strength when temptations abound. We want to keep our eyes focused on You. Remind us that our righteousness is found in your Son, not in ourselves. Help us forgive others, as You have forgiven us. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
God’s Word leads us on His path and away from sin and temptation. Next week, we’ll look at illnesses and how to pray with empathy and strength. Until then, stay determined to dance…
Printable Resource of Prayerful Situations: Sin
Links:
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Remember: Prayerful Situations: Sin
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.
This week’s episode hit home. It is difficult BUT necessary to forgive especially people who have hurt my children. God is faithful and will help us to forgive and move on. Thanks for your focus on prayer.
So glad it was meaningful to you. 🙂