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!

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:43–45

Lord, forgive us for thinking of others as a label rather than as a cherished son or daughter made in Your image. We confess that this is divisive, unloving, and lazy. We repent of our assumptions and arrogance. Help us to learn to view others as You do - a precious soul, lovingly formed in Your image, and destined for eternity. 

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:9

Lord, forgive us for failing to love our enemies. Rather than looking for ways to bless those who think differently from us, we have thrilled ourselves with the pursuit of gaining the ideological upper hand. We confess that we have been hesitant to listen, quick to insult, and eager to become offended. We repent of our fear. Help us to look for ways to become a genuine blessing to those who hate us, to selflessly seek the good of those who would celebrate our downfall.

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

Lord, forgive us for believing the lie that human institutions contain any sort of lasting hope. We confess that our fears and anxieties have risen and fallen based on which ideologies and political leaders hold the most power. We repent of how these fears have led us to feel more at home identifying with secular power structures than with You. Help us to see that the safest and most satisfying place we can be is not entrenched in the echo chamber of like-minded philosophy, but in Your presence. 

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Lord, forgive us for neglecting our calling as missionaries. We confess that we are less patient than You when it comes to salvation, and have viewed others as deserving of our wrath rather than recipients of your kindness. We repent of self-righteous moralism and any notion that our own goodness has saved us. We are Yours because of Your grace alone, the same grace that you freely offer to all who would call on Your name. Lead us to faithfully devote ourselves to proclaiming and extending your invitation to all who are far from you - just as we once were, and would continue to be without Your gracious intervention.

Amen