When Worship Costs Something: From Repentance to Restoration in the Presence of God

“…I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God which cost me nothing.” (King David to Araunah, 2 Samuel 24:24 AMP)

What are you offering to the Lord?

We can't live this life without calling on the Savior for help, so we shouldn't live it without calling out to Him each day simply to tell Him we love Him and to thank Him for all He has already done. As Nicky Gumbel wrote, “When we realize the extent of God's hostility to sin that led to the cross, the only real response we can make is to turn to God in prayer to ask for forgiveness and help.”

Because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross, we are no longer prisoners of sin. He set the captives free and drank the cup of God's wrath on our behalf. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice, but if we desire to walk in the freedom He purchased for us, we must also be willing to make sacrifices of our own and maintain a repentant heart before the Lord. We must continually examine our motives when we come before a holy God in prayer, remembering that He already knows the intentions of our hearts.

A Prayer of Repentance

Being Washed by the Word and Restored in the Presence of God

Lord, help us to be vessels of honor and not of dishonor. By Your grace, transform the areas of our lives that need changing so that we may reflect Your holiness and never bring disgrace to Your name.

Teach us to bow before You in humility and to tear down every idol we have allowed to stand in our hearts. May we seek You because of Your goodness and who You are, not merely because we are searching for an answer to a prayer. Help us to desire Your presence more than your provision, and to love the Giver more than the gifts.

Cleanse us in Your presence, Lord. Wash our hands, purify our hearts, and order our steps so that we may become Your hands and feet in a world that desperately needs a Savior. Create in us a repentant heart like David's, a heart that is quick to confess, quick to turn from sin, and eager to walk in obedience. May we be vessels fit for Your service, ready to do the work You have prepared for us.

Lord, help us to confess our sins and turn from every evil way, knowing that You are faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Consecrate us by Your Word, renew our minds, and heal our land. Anoint us afresh with the oil of Your Holy Spirit, extinguishing every fiery attack of the enemy, strengthening our faith, and enabling us to stand firm when trials come.

May our greatest desire be to live lives that bring glory and honor to Your name. When our race is finished and our lives are required of us, may we enter into Your presence with clean hands, pure hearts, and unwavering faith to hear the words every believer longs for: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Until that glorious day, keep us faithful and let our worship cost us something, our obedience reflect our love for You, and our lives bear witness to the transforming power of Your son Jesus Christ.

In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

May this prayer strengthen and encourage your walk with Christ.

Written in Prayer for the Saints, Kamilia Watson