“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]
The prayer of repentance is surely acceptable to God. He delights in hearing the cries of remorseful sinners. But repentance involves not only sorrow for sin, but turning away from wrong doing and learning to do good. True repentance produces a change in character and behavior.
We have missed the whole purpose of prayer if it fails to shape our character and correct our behavior. Cold, formal praying may exist side by side with bad behavior, but such praying is no praying at all. Our praying advances in power just as much as it rectifies the life. A prayerful life will grow in purity and devotion to God.
Dear God, I confess my sins and lay them before You today. Please forgive me and guide me through Your Spirit so that I can turn away from wrong, and do right instead. Amen. [The Power of Prayer]
