Do you ever feel bad when you do something wrong? If you do, praise the Lord because you have a conscience. Those are long gone from the hearts of the wicked so there's hope for you.
But on a serious note, there should be a tug in your chest when you stray from God's instructions. Yet, that feeling should not devolve into lingering guilt - the kind that leaves you destabilized and unproductive whereby you feel you can't pray, praise, or study God's word because you feel shame.
The Lord has not called us to dwell in guilt, self-condemnation, or shame. This is why He sent Jesus to bear the burden of our sins. As a result, our job as believers who have given their lives to Christ (if you haven't, this post is not for you but you can learn why here) is to quickly repent and prayerfully make choices (aided by Jesus and the Holy Spirit) to not return to the sin we repented for. The process may not be instant but the Lord will help us with each passing day.
All of this is possible because Jesus cleansed the children of God when He died on the cross (Ephesians 5:25). Before that, He cleansed His disciples by washing their feet in John 13, telling them, "[u]nless I wash you, you have no part of me" (John 13:8 BSB). He also told them, "[y]ou are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you" (John 15:3). And in John 17:17, he prayed to the Lord, "[s]anctify them by your truth, your word is truth" (BSB).
That cleansing is available to all who would believe that Jesus is the Son of God who came to die for the sins of the world. However, you have to accept that it is yours for it to play its appointed role in your life.
Unless you accept and appreciate that Christ cleansed you with His word, you will never break free from guilt and shame. It is a choice each believer must make. Christ understood that His disciples needed the ceremonial act of their feet being washed by Him. He knew they needed that act to receive the truth that they had been set free from every burden satan wanted them to carry.
Judas did not believe and so he submitted to the will of satan (as had been prophesied per John 17:12). Instead of being one who sold the good news to souls hungry for God's light, he sold out the light of the Lord to those hungry to impose darkness on mankind. His guilt and shame led to his eventual self-destruction.
Each of us is in a position to make a better decision. We have the opportunity to agree with God that His word sanctified us and that the blood of the Lamb provides redemption for sin. God is patient and He wants us to believe in His character, His word, and His Son, Jesus Christ. If you have given your life to Christ, have received the Spirit of the Lord, and are allowing God to build you up despite your imperfections, then hold onto John 8:36 - So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free (NLT). You are a new creature, set free from guilt, shame, and every lie the devil wants you to believe to your detriment.
To learn more, please read:
From C8 - Thank you Lord for waking me up. For forgiving me. For loving me even with my endless imperfections and sinful heart. I pray for a heart of obedience. I pray to love what is good and hate what is evil. Forgive me for my short comings and help me love people the way that you do.
In Jesus name.
FINAL MESSAGE
I hope you enjoyed Praise & Pray today. I know I feel refreshed and ready for whatever might come my way. Only because the Lion of the Tribe of Judah stands before me and is all around me.
I pray you feel the same. If for some reason you feel down, please remember that God is He who is spoken of in Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.
Know that you can't rely on yourself so cry out Him. Play worship music, pray, read your Bible, do anything to put that spirit of unease at bay.
And please remember 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Let us also continue to pray for one another so we help our brothers and sisters in Christ as instructed in Ephesians 6:18.
God bless you all!
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your kindness. Thank You for teaching us and giving us the opportunity to gather in Your presence. Hallowed be Your Name.
As we go our separate ways, I place today's participants before You and pray for Your healing to come upon their minds and their hearts. That You will rescue them from the ravages of guilt and unhealthy thinking.
2 Corinthians 13:14 - May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
IJN Amen.
We honor You
Not just with our lips
But with our hearts
LAST 10 MINUTES
We've reached the last 10 minutes of today's fellowship. By now, you should have prayed about the issue of guilt if you followed along with the prayers raised over the last 25 minutes.
Let us use this time to meditate on the Lord. Did you see a prayer above that touched you? Or a praise point that's still on your mind? Was it a Bible verse that speaks to something you're going through?
Take it and recite it. Personalize it by placing your very name into it as you speak aloud. Expand it to fit your personal needs. This is the time to focus on what we want from our Redeemer.
God bless you.
From M22 - Father Lord I thank you for sis @FFJ I pray that you continue to enrich in wisdom, favour and strength. I pray that you continue to bless her, her family and her loved ones. I pray that you will continue to strengthen and expand her ministry. IJMN Amen
From M22 - Father Lord as we move fully into the holidays from next week. I pray that you provide for families and individuals struggling to meet up with holiday expenses. I pray that you fill their pockets and bless them with abundant food and every supply they need. I pray that they will experience your abundant provision in their lives IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for children across the world. I pray that you will continue to nourish nd nurture them in your ways. I pray that they will fulfil your purpose and will for their lives. I pray that you will shield them from abuse, bullying, intimidation and other negative vices. I pray that you will surround them with positive and wonderful influences IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for the homeless and the poor. Please bless them with libations, shelter, and the strength, love, comfort and peace to get out of whatever situation they may be in. Please bless them to seek You, call on You, pray to You, speak with You, and build a relationship with You, Lord. Please increase their faith, hope, belief, love and trust in You. Please watch over them Lord and protect them from the elements and bless them with shelter. Please bless them to know that You care for them, You love them and that You are watching over them. Please bless them with the hope and a future to keep on going. IJMN. Amen.
Father, I come before You on behalf of others who need You to do what is promised in Proverbs 21:1 - In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
God, turn the hearts of decision makers to favor Your children. Transform their thinking so Your children are blessed and elevated even by those who once stood in opposition. IJMN, Amen.
Thank You Father for being steadfast. I pray for the body of Christ. That those called to Your Holy Household will never forget the lesson in 2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Let Your children submit their weaknesses to You and hold onto the knowledge that You oh Lord are their strength in all things. Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Father, I pray for people to come to know Christ so He can heal them of that foul spirit of self-condemnation. For the word states in Romans 8:1 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Plus, You have given unto Your people a sound mind.
I come against every spirit of condemnation and guilt. Every strongman of religiosity and legalism seeking to attack the minds of Your people. I decree that the devil is a liar and not in a position to point an accusatory finger at any body that Christ died for. I decree that their minds receive the peace and rest that comes from knowing You, Lord. Marvelous God, Thou alone are worthy to be praised. Take all the glory, IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - I pray for all of Your servants sent by You, Lord, to remain obedient to You. I pray that You bless them exceedingly and abundantly for their obedience to You. I pray that You take them under Your wings and shield them, protect them and cover them from those who mean the harm or ill-will towards them. Please Lord bless them to be bold forceful and spread the good news of the kingdom with zeal. IJMN. Amen.
Father, I use this opportunity to come against every spirit of guilt or any other related spirit seeking to keep any of us in bondage.
Lord, Your word is clear that the lawful captive shall be set free. That freedom came on the cross. As we have given our lives to Christ and accepted that He is Your Son, we are the ones who enjoy the privilege of blood-bought freedom.
And so, I declare in accordance with Your word that we are free from the shackles of guilt. We walk in clean new garments because You dear God have clothed us in white raiments for Your glory. Thank You for doing this, Lord. Thank You for beautifying us. Thank You for restoring our strength like the eagle for Your word is clear - those who wait on You will receive strength.
We choose now to walk in this strength, knowing that when we repent for our sins, we receive Your promised forgiveness and purification.
Thank You for our freedom, God!
IJN, I pray and say, Amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father I pray for countries ravaged by war, famine and natural disasters. I pray Father that you direct the hearts and minds of leaders, governments, authorities and organizations to help rebuild and restore these countries. Abba Father I pray that you continue to watch over the citizens of these countries and take care of their needs. Father Lord I pray that these afflictions will not rise again in these nations. I pray Lord that you accept the souls of the departed in your bosom and comfort their loved ones as they process their grief IJMN Amen
From JIR - I pray for the terminally ill or sick. Please Lord place Your healing hands upon them and remove whatever illnesses or sicknesses are ailing them. Please bless them with compassionate and loving doctors and surgeons. Please bless those doctors and surgeons with wisdom and knowledge, a supportive team, sturdy hands and sharp eyes to provide their patients with the treatments and surgery needed to heal them. Please bless those affected by severe conditions to be able to live full lives, put their illnesses behind them and give You all the glory. IJMN. Amen.
From M22 - Heavenly Father I thank you for this community of Christ. You have been in our midst since the year started and you will always continue to be in our midst. Thank you Lord for strengthening us as we pray, praise and intercede. We bless you for the testimonies, lessons learnt and strongholds you have broken in our lives. We bless you for giving us the strength to pray without ceasing. We exalt your name Father for constantly expanding us and enriching sis @FFJ in wisdom. We give you all the glory Abba. IJMN Amen
PRAYER TIME
From PU - Wow. I really needed to hear this right now.
Please keep me in prayer and pray that I hold onto this truth through my struggles in Christ. Blessings to all of you.
From JIR - Thank You Lord for pulling me out of the darkness and into the light. It is forward ever, backward never. IJMN. Amen.