A Pleasing Sacrifice

Ramadan 2013 started this night. This is a momentous time for God’s people to sacrifice.

But what gift can we bring to the throne of heaven?

We can pray.  If you desire to present God a sacrifice, join us, on your knees.

Joel 2:12-13

“But even now,” says the LORD, “repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning. Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough.” Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish”.

Heavenly Father, we cry out to you, humbled, sick, and weak, admitting we have sinned.  Our sin is before us and all of heaven.  We see the horror and ugliness of it.  Our thoughts are not holy.  Our words are not holy.  We are covered with the sickness of selfishness.  We have wronged our friends, our family and we have wronged you.   Great is our guilt and our sin is repulsive to You.   We are ashamed and don’t want to do it anymore.  Only Your mighty mercy will blot out this mighty sin.  You said, “Turn you even to me” (Joel 2:12), and again (Joel 2:13), “Turn unto the Lord your God”. Our fasting and weeping are worth nothing, nada, zip, if we do not turn to You, turn to our God.  You said, that “the sacrifice that is pleasing to you is a broken and contrite spirit. O God, you do not despise a broken and sorrowful heart (Psalms 51:17).  So, we turn and return back into Your arms, choosing not to dishonor you anymore.  Please forgive and help us to continue to turn from sin to You.

Thank you for showing us that You are a forgiving God and that “you forgive us, so we stand in awe of you” (Psalms 130:4) Thank you that You are mercy.   Thank You that You are faithful and don’t forget Your promises to our ancestors.  Yes, You are gracious.  You are mercy.  You are patient and You are love.

Additional Prayers

• We pray for Muslims all around the world who are praying and fasting during Ramadan.  We pray that You will draw them to Yourself, touching them with Your favor so that they will turn to you.
• We pray for broken and contrite hearts.  We pray for the people that You are calling and drawing near to.  We pray that these special ones who are blessed by You, will morn over their sin.  We pray that they will humble themselves and bring a pleasing sacrifice to Your throne in heaven.
• We pray that all people may come to know You, our holy and righteous God that confronts of the sin that so easily entangles, but who is also gracious, tender and merciful to those who repent and humble themselves before You.