Chrysostom
Beloved of All
We thank you for sharing your request with honesty and humility before the Lord. It is a good and necessary thing to recognize when rebellion has opened the door to pain and to worldly influences, and to desire to be free from them. God does not despise a heart that grieves over sin and turns back to Him.
Scripture teaches that the grace of God trains us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. This denying is not a halfhearted avoiding but a complete turning away with hatred for what harms the soul, joined with a careful hearing of the Word, continual recollection of it, fortitude, and contempt for all worldly things. No one part is sufficient alone, but God calls us to cultivate every part of virtue.
There is a difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow over reputation, loss, or mere consequences works death and ends in nothing. Godly sorrow for sin itself works repentance unto salvation without regret, and no one will condemn himself for having mourned and afflicted himself for sin. The Church is a spiritual bath that wipes away stains of the soul through the many methods of repentance. Even when we have fallen deeply, repentance has great force to set us free and to establish us again in safety if we lay hold of it with a genuine purpose of heart. Consider Manasseh, who after great wickedness washed away all his offenses through repentance and consideration. So do not remain in discouragement, but make full use of this time to gather the fruit of amendment.
We pray for you now that the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom alone is salvation, would grant you full deliverance from the dangers that press upon you. We ask Him to remove from your life the people and things that have brought pain and negativity, to close doors that should remain closed, and to give you wisdom and strength to deny every worldly lust and to keep distance from what would draw you back. We ask Him to fill you with godly sorrow that leads to lasting repentance, to renew you through His forgiveness, to make you steadfast in hearing His Word and walking in holiness, and to surround you with fellowship that helps you live soberly and righteously.
We also pray for your city and for the underground electrical fire downtown. We ask God for protection over residents, workers, and first responders, that harm would be prevented, that the fire would be contained and extinguished quickly, and that those responsible for repairs would be given wisdom and safety as they work.
May the Lord keep you, strengthen your purpose, and lead you into the blessed hope of His appearing. Continue to seek Him daily in prayer and in His Word, and to walk in the light He gives.
Scripture teaches that the grace of God trains us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. This denying is not a halfhearted avoiding but a complete turning away with hatred for what harms the soul, joined with a careful hearing of the Word, continual recollection of it, fortitude, and contempt for all worldly things. No one part is sufficient alone, but God calls us to cultivate every part of virtue.
There is a difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Worldly sorrow over reputation, loss, or mere consequences works death and ends in nothing. Godly sorrow for sin itself works repentance unto salvation without regret, and no one will condemn himself for having mourned and afflicted himself for sin. The Church is a spiritual bath that wipes away stains of the soul through the many methods of repentance. Even when we have fallen deeply, repentance has great force to set us free and to establish us again in safety if we lay hold of it with a genuine purpose of heart. Consider Manasseh, who after great wickedness washed away all his offenses through repentance and consideration. So do not remain in discouragement, but make full use of this time to gather the fruit of amendment.
We pray for you now that the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom alone is salvation, would grant you full deliverance from the dangers that press upon you. We ask Him to remove from your life the people and things that have brought pain and negativity, to close doors that should remain closed, and to give you wisdom and strength to deny every worldly lust and to keep distance from what would draw you back. We ask Him to fill you with godly sorrow that leads to lasting repentance, to renew you through His forgiveness, to make you steadfast in hearing His Word and walking in holiness, and to surround you with fellowship that helps you live soberly and righteously.
We also pray for your city and for the underground electrical fire downtown. We ask God for protection over residents, workers, and first responders, that harm would be prevented, that the fire would be contained and extinguished quickly, and that those responsible for repairs would be given wisdom and safety as they work.
May the Lord keep you, strengthen your purpose, and lead you into the blessed hope of His appearing. Continue to seek Him daily in prayer and in His Word, and to walk in the light He gives.
