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“Repent and Pray”
Repent and Pray
Wade Webster
In the past few studies, we have been examining prayer. We noticed fasting and prayer, watching and prayer, and preaching and prayer. In this study, we will consider repentance and prayer.
No doubt, you recall the conversion of Simon the sorcerer. It was a surprise for sure when this Samaritan shyster was saved. Sadly, he soon slipped back into sin. As you remember, he tried to purchase the ability to impart spiritual gifts. Peter rebuked him for his request, and instructed him to repent and pray. We read, “Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity” (Acts 8:22-23). Did you see the prescription for what was poisoning him? Did you see the solution for what was securing and enslaving him? He was told to repent and pray. Repent means to change one’s mind. Simon had to change his mind. He had to get his mind right. He had to be sorry for what he had said and what he had sought do. To the saints at Corinth, Paul said, “For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Cor. 7:8-11). Through repentance Simon could be clean and clear again. He could be washed from his wickedness. Wickedness refers to malice or evil intent. The thought of Simon’s heart needed to be forgiven. Forgiven means to send away. Simon needed his sin sent away. His sin was separating him from God (Isa. 59:1-2). Our sin will do the same. We cannot draw nigh to God in worship until our sins are sent away. We have to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts in order to be close to God (Jam. 4:8). If we will confess our sins, God will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Then, and only then, can we draw near to God. Of all men, David knew this. He wrote, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psa. 34:17-18).
As we get ready to worship this week, we need to repent and pray. Sin will keep us from being able to draw as near to God as we want to and need to do.
