When we hear the word repentance, one thing comes to our mind: asking for forgiveness. However, repentance is way more than that; it has to do with the entirety of a person. John the Baptist called out to people to repent and be baptized. Repentance comes with cleansing. If anyone must choose to repent, it must affect every area of that person’s life, and they must pray the prayer for repentance and cleansing.
What does Repentance Mean?
Repentance, by definition, is the act of turning from all sinful. It’s an act that involves change. It is not about asking for forgiveness only, it is about changing yourself. It’s about changing the path you are going.
There are things we do that have become part of us, it’s now a habit, but they are not good things. An example is hurting someone, you realize you have done a bad thing, and you ask for forgiveness. Repentance is different from asking for forgiveness. Asking for forgiveness is a minute part of repentance itself.
repentance is about changing yourself and about changing the path you are going
Repentance starts from the realization of the truth, the mind is opened to the truth, and then you find out you have done wrong. It is a process of asking for forgiveness, changing your behavior, and finally, by God’s grace, becoming a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This is what repentance is about; it is about change.
Keeping on with the habit that is against God’s plans negatively affects our faith. We find things we ought to do, the right thing, challenging. Apostle Paul had a similar experience. Romans 7:15 “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” You should know it is time to pray for repentance and cleansing when it has gotten to this.
Bible Verses about Repentance
Act 3:19 “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Having a refreshing time from the Lord requires prayer for repentance and cleansing. Genuine repentance must come with cleansing.
Every time John the Baptist preached the word of repentance, and people repented, he backed it up with baptism, a symbol of cleansing.
When a sinner repents, there is still traces of the old self. This is why cleansing is necessary to complete the process of repentance. Hebrews 9:14 “how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Repentance is essential to every man on this earth. If there is any prayer, people should pray continuously, and it should be the prayer for repentance and cleansing. When you say the prayer for repentance and cleansing, you must take action to repent, too, and then you will get the benefits of repentance.
Prayer for Repentance and Cleansing
Dear Lord, I thank you for the grace you have given me to repent. You have promised to hear me from heaven and grant me my heart’s desire. I have decided to change my ways; I don’t want to be conformed to the things of this world; I desire a change today. I am repenting from my old habits and letting go of my destructive behaviors and sinful act. I’m asking you to cleanse me with your blood and let me be clean. Amen.
Why is Repentance Important?
Repentance is the First Step to Safety
The Bible tells us that Satan never stops looking for those he can enslave. And the people he can take into slavery are not protected by a solid wall or by those who can save them.
Related: Prayer for Protection
This is why sin is dangerous: there is no protection outside of Jesus Christ until a person repents and comes to Jesus.
When you come to Jesus, he takes you in into safety. Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
Eternal Life is Guaranteed
Mark 8:36 “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Gaining the world and not gaining eternal life is a waste.
Gaining the world but not gaining eternal life is a waste
The path of sin is the path of death; it cannot escape unless one repents genuinely. When you take Jesus into your life, you will not perish anymore. You have been saved from the reward of sin, which is death, but now, you will have eternal life. Repentance will give you new life. What you were before will be different from what you are now. The old self will be shed.
God Takes Control of your Life
When you repent from your old ways, it equally means surrendering your life, plans, and ways to the Lord. Now, God will be in control of everything; he will direct your path and make your salvation perfect. Your eyes would be opened to spiritual truths and benefits you have not seen. The spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, will descend on you and teach you things.
Also read: PRAYER TO GET CLOSER TO JESUS
