I read Daniel all last week, Hosea over the weekend, and Joel this morning. Amos will meet me tomorrow. It just happened that way, of course, reading through the Bible, but it was no accident. The messages of these books is clear.
They are a plea for God’s people to return to Him.
I’ve prayed many and written some Daniel-9 types prayers. Prayers of repentance, for our nation. This morning I read this post, and wholeheartedly agree that corporate confession, repentance, fasting and prayer is where we need to be right now.
But I think it needs to go a step further. Or rather, closer.
Honestly, it is easy for me to publicly confess the sins of abortion, sexual immorality, racial animosity. For me personally, they are far from home. Not that I’m perfect, but I’ve not engaged in those. It’s easy for me to confess how the church has become a performance, how we’ve neglected speaking the truth, because again, not that we’re perfect, but Renew isn’t that.
Strangely enough, it’s easy to confess things that I haven’t done.
Oh wait. That isn’t confession. That’s accusation cloaked in religious jargon.
The things that are hard to confess are the things I’m actually guilty of. Specific things.
Because we sin in specific ways our confession must be as well. It’s easier to confess “the great wickedness of our nation” but what about the fact that I was terribly rude to my husband yesterday?
Honestly, of all the various articles surrounding this season, and how the church must return to God, the most impactful for me was written 200 years ago. It has to do with something so much greater than the election.
It has to do with revival. It has to do with rending our hearts, not our garments (real repentance verses outward shows of repentance) and returning to the LORD, your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster (Joel 2:13).
I think America is in for a rude awakening, but may it be a Great Awakening.
But while there is most certainly a place for confessing on behalf of our nation, for interceding for wrongs that we haven’t committed, if we begin there that can just lead to subtle stone-throwing. First, we must repent for the sins we’ve actually committed. Logs must come out first.
I love Charles Finney because he calls us to the hard work of repenting specifically. He says,
“General confessions of sin will never do. Your sins were committed one by one… they ought to be reviewed and repented of one by one.”
I went through his exercise at length this summer, during our 40-day fast. I highly recommend! But believe it or not, I’ve sinned since then. 😉 And sometimes, when talking about confession, it helps if someone else goes first.
- Ingratitude. Generous God, I have been ungrateful. You have lavished me with life, health, food and clothing and abundant provision, and I have OFTEN ignored your blessings and neglected to thank you for the everyday abundance that you give. More than any other area, I see this as the most-committed sin in my life, and I am so sorry for my frequent lack of thankfulness.
- Focus. Father, I have read your Word each morning, but I have often pored over the news, Facebook, and blog posts with more intention and fervor than I have pored over your holy Scriptures. At times I have probably watched the polls more than watched for you in prayer.
- Prayer. God, I have worried more than prayed. I have touted and talked about prayer, and have prayed some, but not nearly as fervently and faithfully as I could.
- Lack of Concern for the Souls of others: Holy Spirit, I have not loved my neighbor enough to seek then out and share the gospel. I seek plenty of things–I search high and low for sales and deals, I research healthy options and homeschool curriculums, I peruse Pinterest, and yet I give very little effort to seeking out those who I can share the gospel with.
- Neglect of Family. Good Good Father, I confess that even as a Stay-at-Home-Mom I often put my own needs and wants above my husband and kids. In subtle ways, I can still be super selfish in daily life.
- Worldliness. Jesus, I confess that I OFTEN love the world. I have often longed for new kitchen appliances, a prettier kitchen, skinnier legs, cuter clothes, better skin. I have often let my attention be lured back to all that the world offers, instead of consistently putting my hope in eternal things.
- A Critical Spirit. Holy Spirit, I confess that I am quick to inwardly criticize others. I am quick to make myself the hero of every situation and assume that I am right.
- Preference. I confess that I gravitate toward people like myself, who make me feel comfortable, or seem to approve of me or agree with me, and I naturally avoid those who are different, who make me uncomfortable, who irritate or annoy me. I tend to be most generous to the people I naturally like.
- Pride. Gracious God, I confess that I have often posted things on social media that are flattering toward me, or make me look good, or promote an image of myself or my family. I have wanted to prove that I am “right” more often than I have sincerely loved those who think differently from me.
- Lack of Empathy. Compassionate God, I confess that I have not been broken-hearted for those who are suffering. And yet, I want empathy and confession when I have a cold! I am a wimpy sufferer, God. I’m sorry.
God, we’re sorry. I’m sorry. We’ve not loved you with all our heart or our neighbor as ourselves. May this rude awakening bring a great awakening. Lead us back to life in You.
{Thanks for reading.}
*Perhaps, if the Spirit leads, you might share your own confession as well? Not for show, but if it is sincere. On your own FB page, your blog, or just with your church family. Let’s plant seeds of revival.