If you aren’t sure how to observe Lent, don’t worry! Simple prayers like this one are a great way to focus our faith and connect with God in our journey through Lent. Get started below!

Journey Through Lent, Day 11

Have you experienced the gut feeling you get when you do something you know you shouldn’t have? Where it feels like your stomach is tied up like a pretzel? When we find ourselves straying from following God’s instruction, this guilt-pretzel can make an unwelcome, condemning appearance.

But Jesus didn’t come into the world to condemn it, or us. He came to rescue us. And his rescue comes not with shame or fear of judgment, but with the promise of forgiveness. And what do we have “to do” to experience this forgiveness? Nothing but ask. So here’s a prayer of repentance we wrote—what we pray when we need to acknowledge something we’ve done wrong and ask for God’s forgiveness.

A Prayer of Repentance

Merciful God, who does not treat me as my sins deserve, forgive me for both the wrong things I’ve done and the wrongs I’ve caused with what I’ve left undone. Gracious God, who’s kindness leads me to repentance, pour out your steadfast love into my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Lead me away from broken paths, and toward your life-giving guidance. Help me to not make these same mistakes again. Amen.

Scripture: Romans 2:4

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

A simple prayer like this can be all we need to get started connecting with God in our Lent journeys. To follow more of our journey through Lent and check out our other Lent devotions, click here!