When we find ourselves in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty all around us, Scripture is clear that the church’s primary response must be one of prayer. We firmly believe that any move of God begins with us humbly coming to Him in repentance for sin and seeking revival.

On September 27th we held a “Repentance Sunday” prayer service at Outward Church Outward elders and leaders identified several topics of repentance and led us in a time of guided prayer and scripture for each one. We are posting these prayers on our blog so that you can continue to pray through these topics of repentance on your own. We believe in the power of prayer and want to be a church devoted to prayer. Let’s seek the Lord together!

We live in a world and culture that allows us to pursue and enjoy every single desire at a moment’s notice and consistently available at our fingertips. We have, as Christians, slowly slipped into a state of idolatry on a daily basis without even realizing what we are worshiping or recognizing the sin that we are living in by doing so. We go about our days believing we are living a life that is pleasing to God in many ways while constantly being distracted by numerous idols such as: social media, pursuit of material possessions, careers, education, hobbies, pursuit of relationships, choosing to keep ourselves constantly busy with our children, the pursuit of the perfect family, etc.

Several of these are obvious but several of these, while being a “good thing” to strive for, have crept into our daily lives as a major distraction and keep us from “having enough time for the Lord." As disciples of Christ we need to recognize the Holy Spirit’s tug on our hearts and minds towards confession of these distractions and idols. We need to let go of our pride and allow ourselves to be humbled by the scriptures as they instruct us towards the renewal of our minds so that we can be an effect on our world for His name rather than us ourselves being affected by the world towards sinful habits. 

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 3 -7

Lord, we come before you in recognition and confession of our desire for constant stimulation that keeps us from having an intimate relationship with you, a desire driven by the fallacy that our thoughts and energy towards these things are without sin solely because they are all “good things”. We confess that we have been living lives that place such things as the ultimate object of worship on the throne rather than keeping our hearts fixed on you, Jesus, as the only one we should be worshiping on the throne. 

God, we ask that you continue to stir up affections in our hearts for you that lead us to a daily desire of intimacy with you and a daily hunger for your word. Lord may we turn from the idols and distractions that have become our primary focus and turn towards your grace, love and mercy that you extend to us every single day. As your Word says, Lord, we used to live in foolishness and disobedience, being led astray by various passions and pleasures, but when your goodness and loving kindness appeared you saved us according to your own mercy by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. You did this so that, being justified by your grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Lord, hear our cries today and meet us in our time of prayer with you. Lord, we look hopeful toward a continual growth in discernment as we desire to give you glory in our actions on a daily basis as your children.  

Amen