Stepping Stones: A Prayer With A Guarantee

Transformational Tip
Every day, and all over the world many Christian are asking the same question; "Why didn't God answer my prayer?" There are many reasons why God would say no to your specific prayer, but we will save that subject for a future devotional. Today's devotional is about a simple, important prayer that is guaranteed to be answered with a "yes"; that prayer is "Lord, please forgive me."
When it comes to being forgiven for the bad things we have done, the hardest part has already been done for us. The penalty for sin is death, and that penalty needs to be paid by someone. Christ paid that price on our behalf a long time ago. Our role in the process is very simple. The sooner you can grasp and believe this fact the easier it will be for you to rid yourself of the shame, guilt, remorse and accumulated emotional weight from all the past sins that so many of us carry around our neck like a huge stone. So ask for God's forgiveness now and many times throughout your day. Don't let the many sins you commit, big or small, to accumulate and hinder your communication with your Lord.
We all have past sins we still let influence our present lenses and living. What past sin eats at your view of yourself...your self-esteem...or your ability to relate well with someone close? What is the effect? Why do you still let it influence you? Confess and use different lenses to see God's complete forgiveness for you!

Prayer
Dear Father God,
I am tired of feeling like a terrible person...I am tired of carrying this weight of guilt and shame for the things I have done...the sins I've committed. Lord, please forgive me. I know by Your Holy Word that Christ died so that I may be free of sin. I confess my sins to you Lord, please forgive me and purify me from all unrighteousness. Remove the sins that block me from your blessings. Forgive my sins so that I may see with Your eyes and fill my mind with Your thoughts. Give me Your wisdom through Your Holy Spirit, but more than wisdom, give me the strength to do Your will.
I pray this all prayers in the name of Jesus Christ who died for my sins - AMEN

The Truth
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
John 19:28-30
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
Ephesians 1:7
as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12