Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (KJV)

Micah 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? (KJV)

What sacrifice are you bringing to the Lord?

When you have sinned, you approach God because He has given you access to do so (Ephesians 2:18). What do you bring?

• Do you say prayers that identify your sin?
• Do you make promises not to sin again and ask for forgiveness?
• Do you cry sometimes?
• Do you come seeking mercy because the Holy Spirit convicted you (you got caught)?

If you do any or all these things, you were either taught to, read it, or modeled your prayers after ones you have heard. Remember, God is the Almighty God. He looks directly into your heart. Your words may fool people, however, you cannot fool God. Make sure you are not just going through the motions. That behavior only satisfies your flesh; it doesn’t please God. Those types of prayer are just performance and show no reverence. Give God what is deserving of the Creator of heaven of earth.

Psalms 51:16-17  For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. (New King James Bible)

The only acceptable thing to bring the Father is a heart broken with sorrow because of the sin. You come to him boldly, yet humbly giving Him praise, worship, and honor for who He is. Remember, He is the creator of the universe.

Matthew 6:9-13 Pray like this: “Our Beloved Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms, may the glory of your name be the center on which our lives turn.10 Manifest your kingdom realm, and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth, as it is in heaven.” (The Passion Translation TPT)

You don’t come because you got caught and you are trying to escape the consequences. You come to repent because of conviction and get help to turn away from unacceptable behavior and keep turning to God.

Psalm 51:1-2 God, give me mercy from your fountain of forgiveness! I know your abundant love is enough to wash away my guilt. Because your compassion is so great, away this shameful guilt of sin. Forgive the full extent of my rebellious ways, and erase this deep stain on my conscience. (The Passion Translation TPT)

You bring your sacrifice to the Most High God who sits above you in the heavens. You bow before Him in praise, as your pray, because He is Elohei Marom [ē-lō-hī  ma-room] (God of Heights).

Please agree with me as I pray:

Father, I repent for every time I came to You because I was ashamed. I know I cannot honestly say each time I was sorry about what happened. I think mostly I was sorry about the outcome. If the situation had not gone to the left, I probably would not have come to You about it. Again, I repent. Just thinking about it brings me to my knees. I know that kind of behavior grieves You. The drama, the tears, the falling on the floor and all the emotions have to be real. If not, I’ve gotten everything I am going to get, an emotional release. I might also get the sympathy or the empathy from those who are watching, which would provide for some internal relief. I don’t want that life. I want to come to You because I know I am wrong whether or not I am “caught”. The Holy Spirit always shows me when I am wrong. Even though I may try to rationalize it, wrong is wrong. There’s no gray area with You. I can’t be partially obedient. I bring to You the sacrifice You require. My heart is broken for every wrong I commit; I repent and I do not want to do them again. I don’t want an emotional release; I want spiritual healing…