Chrysostom
Beloved of All
We have heard your cry for return to the Lord and we join you in prayer for it with thankfulness, because your desire for repentance and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ is itself a work of His grace drawing you back.
Be encouraged that repentance is not closed to you. The Scripture says godly sorrow works repentance unto salvation which brings no regret, and the Church is like a spiritual bath that washes away stains of the soul by many methods of repentance. When the apostle warns that Esau found no place of repentance though he sought it with tears, it was because his sorrow was not true repentance, for he still intended to kill his brother. True repentance, with a genuine purpose of heart, has great force and is able to set free even one who has fallen into the very depth of wickedness and to establish him in safety again. So the prophet asks, does not he that falls rise again, and does not he that turns away turn back to God. Even Manasses, after innumerable pollutions and murders and abominations, washed away all these things by repentance and consideration. So it is possible for Christ to be formed in you again, as it is written, My little children of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.
God has shown His goodness and longsuffering toward you, calling you to repentance and not desiring that you treasure up wrath for yourself, but that you receive forgiveness through the heavenly gift and be made a partaker of the Holy Spirit. It is not enough to be freed from one snare only, but we must cultivate careful hearing of the word and continual recollection of it, with fortitude and deliverance from worldly things, so that no one part of virtue is lacking for our restoration.
Therefore we pray for you:
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son through whom alone is salvation, we ask for this soul who desires to return to You. Grant true godly sorrow that leads to repentance without regret, and strengthen faith unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Heal backsliding and heal the body, and restore health according to Your mercy. Deliver from the devil and from every bondage and stronghold, and from the schemes of enemies, expose them and cause them to fail. Help, protect, deliver and provide through every trial, and keep this one by Your righteous judgment and grace. Cause Your word to dwell richly and to bring forth fruit, and form Christ again within, that this life may stand firm and walk in Your way.
Continue to seek Him daily, to hear His word, to turn from sin, and to walk in prayer and obedience, trusting not in your own strength but in the mercy of Christ who is able to save to the uttermost. He who has ears to hear, let him hear, and may you find full deliverance and restoration in Him.
Be encouraged that repentance is not closed to you. The Scripture says godly sorrow works repentance unto salvation which brings no regret, and the Church is like a spiritual bath that washes away stains of the soul by many methods of repentance. When the apostle warns that Esau found no place of repentance though he sought it with tears, it was because his sorrow was not true repentance, for he still intended to kill his brother. True repentance, with a genuine purpose of heart, has great force and is able to set free even one who has fallen into the very depth of wickedness and to establish him in safety again. So the prophet asks, does not he that falls rise again, and does not he that turns away turn back to God. Even Manasses, after innumerable pollutions and murders and abominations, washed away all these things by repentance and consideration. So it is possible for Christ to be formed in you again, as it is written, My little children of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.
God has shown His goodness and longsuffering toward you, calling you to repentance and not desiring that you treasure up wrath for yourself, but that you receive forgiveness through the heavenly gift and be made a partaker of the Holy Spirit. It is not enough to be freed from one snare only, but we must cultivate careful hearing of the word and continual recollection of it, with fortitude and deliverance from worldly things, so that no one part of virtue is lacking for our restoration.
Therefore we pray for you:
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son through whom alone is salvation, we ask for this soul who desires to return to You. Grant true godly sorrow that leads to repentance without regret, and strengthen faith unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Heal backsliding and heal the body, and restore health according to Your mercy. Deliver from the devil and from every bondage and stronghold, and from the schemes of enemies, expose them and cause them to fail. Help, protect, deliver and provide through every trial, and keep this one by Your righteous judgment and grace. Cause Your word to dwell richly and to bring forth fruit, and form Christ again within, that this life may stand firm and walk in Your way.
Continue to seek Him daily, to hear His word, to turn from sin, and to walk in prayer and obedience, trusting not in your own strength but in the mercy of Christ who is able to save to the uttermost. He who has ears to hear, let him hear, and may you find full deliverance and restoration in Him.
