5 Verses To Pray When You Need God’s Help & Forgiveness

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As I’ve been thinking about God’s discipline this week, I’ve wondered … how can we know if our difficult circumstances are the result of God’s discipline or something else? And then a reader commented that she was wondering, too.

How do we know if our circumstances are God’s discipline? What do we do when we need God’s help and forgiveness?

Here are some of the reasons we experience painful and difficult circumstances…

1. They can be the consequences of our own foolish sinful choices.
2. They can be the consequences of someone else’s foolish sinful choices.
3. They can be the result of spiritual warfare and attacks from the enemy.
4. They can simply be the result of living in a foolish sinful world.

God allows us to live out the consequences of our poor choices to help us learn that His ways are the only way to truly live with peace, joy, and strength. And the only way to enjoy all of the beautiful blessings He wants for us now and eternally.

Because people have free will, our lives are often touched by the poor choices of the people around us. Scripture tells us we fight against the forces of evil that attack us with trials and temptations. That means, in this sinful world, our lives are going to be touched by hatred, war, illness, poverty, and pain at times.

So, how do we know if we’re being disciplined by God or if we’re simply being affected by someone else’s sin, an attack of the enemy of our souls, or the by-product of sin in the world?

We take everything to God’s throne of grace.

Here’s a list of five things we can do with verses and prayers to help…

When We Need God’s Help and Forgiveness

Spend time with God through His Word and prayer.

I have hidden Your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against You.
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
    and give me life through Your word.

Psalm 119:18, 30

Father, You have been so good to me. You sent Jesus to save me from the eternal consequences of my sin. By Your grace, through Jesus, I can have victory over sin, death, and the power of the enemy of my soul.

By the power of Your Spirit, please work in me so that I might SEEK You above everything else in life. Help me to hold Your Word close to my heart so that I might KNOW the TRUTH that sets me free. And strengthen me to TRUST and OBEY Your commands and follow Your will. Amen.

Repent faithfully and quickly of every sin – those we know about and those we don’t.

O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive,
    so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;
    hear my urgent cry.
I will call to You whenever I’m in trouble,
    and You will answer me.

Psalm 86:5–7

Father, Your Word tells me there is forgiveness for all who repent of their sins. It tells me that You are loving and good and always ready to forgive.

I come to You … please forgive me for all the times I have said and done things against Your will and for the times I have failed to do what You desire. I am so sorry.

So, often I end up living out the consequences of my foolish decisions. I know You want more for me. I understand that You discipline because You want the very best for Your children. You know that the only way for us to live with peace, joy, and contentment is to live according to Your perfect plans.

I cry out to You for forgiveness. Please have mercy on me and give me everything I need to trust and follow You in obedience. Amen.

Ask for God’s help to give strength, peace, and protection.

I love You, Lord;
    You are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior;
    my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
    and my place of safety.

Psalm 18:1–2

I do love You, Lord. Thank you for giving me the strength I need each day. Thank you for Jesus, the Rock of my Salvation, and the Foundation of my Faith.

Please continue to give me everything I need to remain strong in the face of life’s challenges. Please give me the peace that goes beyond understanding when life I face life’s difficulties. And please protect me from temptations, lies, and enemy attacks.

Please help me faithfully wear the belt of faith, the body armor of Your righteousness, shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. You promise to give me everything I need to live for Your glory. I give myself to You. Please help me. Amen.

Trust His promises.

God’s way is perfect.
    All the Lord’s promises prove true.
    He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord?
    Who but our God is a solid rock?

Psalm 18:30–31

Father, Thank you for making it possible for me to fully rely on Your promises. You promised to send a Messiah, and You sent Your only Son, Jesus. You promised that when I come to You in faith, You faithfully forgive a truly repentant heart.

You promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. And You promised that Jesus will come again to bring Your children home. You make the impossible … possible. You are gracious, merciful, and loving. You are Lord of all. You are my Lord and Savior. I thank and praise you with all my heart. Amen.

Share His love.

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19–20

Oh, Father, please help me shine the light of Your love boldly with kindness and compassion. Help me cling to the Truth of Your Word and speak that truth with gentleness and respect.

Thank you for being with me today, tomorrow, and always. Give me wisdom and knowledge as I live through times of discipline and make me willing and obedient, like Jesus. In His name, I pray. Amen.

Remember…

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t give up when He corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those He loves

Hebrews 12:5–6a

The Lord’s love is great! He wants so much for His children. He especially wants us to experience peace with joy now and to live eternally with Him in heaven. That’s why He disciplines us.

So, when we’re being disciplined or just living through life’s difficulties, may we turn to His Word and spend time with Him in prayer. Repent. Ask for His help. Trust His promises and share His love. That’s the best way to experience His help and forgiveness.

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