A Prayer for Grace When You Mess Up
By: Amanda Idleman
Bible Reading: "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 5:20-21
Read or Listen Below:
God’s grace is greater than our sins. What good news this is!
The older I become, the more acutely aware I am that I am not by nature a good person. Left to my own devices, I am short-tempered, selfish, easily fatigued, greedy, gluttonous, and harsh. The idea that I am a ‘good person’ and therefore could make it to heaven by my own merit loses more and more plausibility as I grow in years. I am no good at all and am in desperate need of a savior.
Can you relate? Is there a part of your story that you wish you could change? Is there a sin, a weakness, or a need that feels like it pulls you in even before you have the chance to stop yourself? This is the human condition. We are broken people in need of a good God.
The sooner we recognize our great need for grace, the quicker we can obtain it. God offers us his forgiveness. All we have to do to receive it is to reach out to him, confess our sins, and ask that, by his power, we change our ways. God’s Spirit empowers us to overcome our brokenness and write better stories with our lives. His grace not only forgives us but helps us change, grow, and live in the light.
Oftentimes, our own shame stops us from reaching out and taking hold of this amazing free gift. We feel the need to hide, to wallow away because we feel undeserving of grace. When we buy into this lie that we are unlovable and unforgivable, we get stuck. Our sin becomes us.
Break free from the lies. Accept the truth that Jesus and his grace are greater than our sin. There is no power of darkness that cannot be run out by the light. Step into the light, and, with time, all the dark and evil things will be burnt away.
When we believe that his grace is able, it changes our live,s and more importantly, we believe that it changes our relationships when things start to change. In my marriage, we have been stuck in a cycle of sin and shame. Once I embraced grace for myself, I could extend it to my husband, and I also had hope that the sin that had become so familiar to me could be overcome by God’s power at work in my life.
God’s grace is a miracle worker. It’s the power that defeats sin and death. We have hope that is for now and stretches into eternity because grace has been given to us.
Let’s Pray:
God, we thank you that your grace is abundant! It is more powerful than our sins. We have hope that we can overcome our worst mistakes. Empower me to grab hold of this amazing grace. Silence the lies of the enemy that would want me to believe I am unlovable. Open my heart to accept and fully understand how much you love me and desire me to live in the right relationship with you and others. Cover my sin with your blood. Change me so I can repent and begin to live in a new way that honors you. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Tommaso79
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is encouraging others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for Your Nightly Prayer, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, Your Daily Prayer, and more. She has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com, Biblestudytools.com, and Christianity.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas, alongside her husband’s companion devotional, Shepherd. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.
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