1 John 1:8-10 NIV
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”
INSIGHT
–Apostle John in his first letter reminds us of the imperfect human nature and need for repentance. We learn that the one who claims to be sinlessness deceives themselves and lacks the truth in their hearts. The first step in repentance is then to acknowledge our sinful nature then to confess our sins by submitting to God’s mercy which should be a continuous process. This affirms our ongoing battle with sin caused by temptations that are usually not far reaching. Therefore, there is need for confession that catalyzes forgiveness and cleansing since God is faithful and just to honor His word, even when our sin seems overwhelming.
PRAYER
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love, according to Your great compassion, blot my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight; so You are right in Your verdict and justified when You judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet You desired faithfulness even in the womb; You taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 51:1-12
1 Peter 3:9-11 NIV
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
INSIGHT
–The call to repentance is not unidirectional but bidirectional. The Lord’s Prayer is clear that we need to forgive those who trespass against us so that we may receive forgiveness of our sins. Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22). Jesus reveals the mandate of forgiveness comes before repentance.
PRAYER
How great are You Lord in all the heavens and the earth. You have called us to forgive those who trespass against us. May You grant us the grace of forgiveness for this is the reason for Your death, that our sins may be forgiven. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: Matthew 6:9-13
Romans 2:1-5 NIV
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”
INSIGHT
–God’s kindness and goodness leads us to repentance. It is not just by our own selves that we are repentant, but by the grace and mercy of God. We are cautioned against judging others for only God is the righteous judge and vengeance belong to Him (Deuteronomy 32:35). Let us realize that we are also sinners and need God’s grace at every moment of our lives. Also that, God’s salvation and deliverance comes through His goodness and mercy, as we surrender to His will and divine empowerment.
PRAYER
We thank Lord for Your mercy and grace upon us. We repent our sins, sins of our families, sins of the youth, sins of the police, sins of the president and all leaders. We repent for the sins of shedding innocent blood and abductions. May You save us and vindicate us from all forms of oppression and slavery. May those who have been abducted be reunited with their families. May You heal the hearts of all those have lost their loved ones. May You heal our nation Abba Father. May You dear Lord Jesus save our nation. May You protect all the innocent youth who are fighting for a better future. May Your goodness always lead us repentance and to acknowledge that only You are our God, and we have no other. May You fight for us every battle, for the battle belongs to You. Lord You are our Shepherd we shall not want. You make us to lie down in green pastures. You lead us beside the still waters. You restore our souls. You lead us in the paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Yeah, though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil; for You are with us, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort us. You prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies; You anoint our heads with oil; our cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in Your house Lord forever. Amen
Further reading: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalms 23:1-6
Proverbs 14:34 NKJV
“Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”
INSIGHT
–National repentance is critical for the prosperity of a people. Ezra’s deep mourning over the sins of the exiles led others to gather around him, see their own sins, and weep bitterly over them (Ezra 10:1). Ezra preaches the message of national repentance of Israel. Nehemiah also majorly advocates for the rebuilding of the Jerusalem walls which had been burnt and destroyed. Nehemiah surveyed the structure for three days and said, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace” (Nehemiah 2:1). As Nehemiah addresses the dilapidated state of Jerusalem and the continued disobedience of the people, led them in a process of repentance and rebuilding both physically and spiritually. Let us continue to repent for the sin of our nation and seek the Lord for the rebuilding our spiritual walls in righteousness and peace.
PRAYER
Lord You tell us that, if we humble ourselves before You, pray and seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways, then You will hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land. May You hear our prayers dear Lord Jesus, forgive us and heal our land. May You have mercy on us and save us. Lord You make nations great and destroy them, You enlarge nations and guides them. May You make our nation of Kenya great and enlarge our territories. May righteousness take charge in our nation and grant us Your peace and prosperity. We pray this believing and trusting in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Further reading: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Job 12:23
John 8:1-12 NKJV
“But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
INSIGHT
–Jesus, despite being sinless, does not condemn the woman but instead offers her forgiveness and a chance to change her ways. This demonstrates His divine authority and His willingness to extend mercy to those who repent. The passage illustrates that everyone is susceptible to sin and in need of God’s grace. It also emphasizes that forgiveness is available through repentance and faith in Jesus. Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life”. Jesus’ words to the woman, “Go and sin no more,” highlight the importance of repentance and a transformed life.
SUMMARY
Repentance in Hebrew is shuv and Greek metanoia which means to return or turn back and signifies a change of mind or a transformative change of heart. The first step is to acknowledge that we are sinners, lest we make God a liar. God calls us confess our sins for He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-10). It is God’s kindness that helps us to repentance (Romans 2:1-5). Godly sorrow brings us to repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death (2 Corinthians 7:10). Since Christ forgave us, He requires us to be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other as He forgave us (Ephesians 4:32). Therefore, we should not repay evil with evil or insults with insults but evil with a blessing, for we are required to inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9-11). As we repent for our nation we should realize that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to a people (Proverbs 14:34). Jesus died for our sins and calls us to repentance and walking in holiness.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, we repent all our sins and seek Your mercy. May You touch our thoughts and hearts, transform us, wash us with Your precious blood. May You our God of peace, sanctify us through and through body, soul and spirit and keep us blameless at Your coming dear Lord Jesus Christ. May You grant Your true salvation to us and all people dear merciful Savior. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: Romans 12:1-12