When Freedom Is What We Want, Repentance is What We Do

The first pre-teen/teen Whisper Gathering was utterly amazing. Seven young people joined me. We ate pizza, laughed, sang funny action songs, and learned about praying in a deeper, bigger way. 

We studied the experience of Isaiah in 1 Kings 6. He walked into the temple and a glimpse of heaven rocked his world. He saw God high and lifted up, and Elijah was never the same again. 

We learned that prayer and hearing the voice of God should begin with seeing God as He is,seeing ourselves in relation to His majesty, and repenting of our sins. In a very real sense, praying God-sized prayers must start with sincere repentance.

With that in mind, we had a period of beautiful confession before each other and before our Lord, gave our sin to God, and left it with him. We studied Elijah's life to see how a prophet prays with God-sized results. We pondered the biggest requests we could make. Then, scattered around the room, we prayed huge prayers and staked our claim on world-wide revival. 

Afterward, I asked them what they'd learned and what they'd do different going forward. One young girl answered, "Repentance is kinda fun." Another said, "I learned you have to repent if you want to have answered prayer." 

When they got ready to leave, one pre-teen ran over to me. "Miss Leanna, is it okay if I go repent of one more thing before I go?" 

You know it was.

I watched from the door as that little blonde-haired girl knelt at the altar, gave her sin to God, and left it with Him. She headed home with a smile on her face and joy in her heart because she'd learned an important truth. 

When freedom and answered prayers are what we want, repentance is what we do.

It's that simple. 

Want to restore the joy of your salvation? Begin with repentance. Need answered prayers? Start by repenting. Hungry to hear from God? Repentance should be first on the list.

"And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3 nasb

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 nasb

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In case you missed the most recent post, here's the link: The Vineyard Behind the Gate

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