RECEIVING FORGIVENESS

Letting go of self blame

Adapted from page 280 of Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun. First edition copyright (c) 2005 by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL. www.ivpress.com

Read this prayer that David wrote and receive God’s forgiveness.  

Psalm 32

1 Oh, what joy for those

 whose disobedience is forgiven,

 whose sin is put out of sight!

2 Yes, what joy for those

 whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,

 whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3 When I refused to confess my sin,

 my body wasted away,

 and I groaned all day long.

4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

 My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

 and stopped trying to hide my guilt.

I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”

 And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,

 that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7 For you are my hiding place;

 you protect me from trouble.

 You surround me with songs of victory.

8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

 I will advise you and watch over you.

9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

 that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

10 Many sorrows come to the wicked,

 but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!

 Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Say aloud:

“Thank you, Jesus, that you have completely forgiven me and cleansed me of all my sins. I praise you for rescuing me.”

1 John 1:9

9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.