Day 2: Confession (Prayer Guide)
Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are.
Set the world right; Do what’s best—as above, so below.
Matthew 6:9-13, MSG
Day 2: Confession
READ.
Read the following verses. As you read, pause and pray over anything that sticks out to you. Do not rush. In fact, consider starting this time in silence for :30-:60 and ask God to be near as you pray.
Luke 3:8-11
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
1 John 5:14-15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
What thoughts come to mind?
What words or ideas did the Holy Spirit draw your attention to?
PRAY.
Read this prayer, and as you read, meditate on any lines that stick out to you. Pray them again in your own words.
I must confess I don’t feel ready, my shoulders tense, these lungs heavy, I am overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do. I look around at all there is to do, and I confess my desperate need for you.
And then I hear a whisper, ‘Everything I feel that I lack, I already have access to.’
Your Kingdom has come. May I rest here, in this reality. Holy Spirit, in all of my earthly responsibilities, Lord show me plainly, and tell me simply, what is mine to do?
“Help us to know what when we do not have enough compassion for the road ahead, that you do, and that is enough.” Rev. Nadia Bolz-Webr
RESPOND.
Take a moment to wait on the Lord. Fight the urge to fill the silence. Allow his presence to meet you here. Linger in His presence intentionally.
As you wait on the Lord, and all of your responsibilities rush into your mind, the things you need to mark off your checklist or put on your checklist to begin with, confess your need for Jesus. Confess the areas you feel that you lack and ask him to remind you what you already have in Him. Confess the areas in which you feel far from God, and ask for God’s mercy to show up in mighty ways, lifting your Spirit as you step deeper into intimacy with the Father.
Transition into the next part of your day, experiencing the fullness of God in you, and practice asking the Holy Spirit, “what is mine to do?” Where do you need to lay things down? What do you need to pick up? Remain open to the still small voice of the Spirit as you go.