A Prayer of Thanks for the Forgiveness of Sins

(Based on 1 John 1:8-2:2)

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin,
we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins,
and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.                                                                                  

Lord, my heart is so ugly. I have sinned against You so much, continually, every day, every moment -
sometimes without fully realizing it, sometimes in outright open rebellion against You. I deserve Your
anger and Your condemnation. Even my grief at my sin is so contaminated by self-focus. I'm more upset
about my wounded pride and failed plans than I am that I have hurt and grieved You, my heavenly Father.
I can't even repent without Your grace. (2 Tim. 2:25)

Thank you, Lord, that You are gracious and merciful and that there is abundant pardon when I turn from
sin. (Isa. 55:7)

Thank you that You have provided a way to deal with my sin so I can have fellowship with You. 

Thank you, Lord, that when I confess my sins, You are faithful to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from
all unrighteousness. You have promised to remove my sins as far as the east is from the west. (Ps. 103:12)
You have promised to cleanse me and wash me white as snow even though my sins are as scarlet.
(Isa.1:18) Every promise of Yours to me is "Yes" in Jesus. (2 Cor. 1:20)

Thank you, Lord, that You made a way to forgive me even though you are righteous and cannot overlook
sin. You cannot compromise your holiness, but in Your glorious grace, You sent Your Beloved Son to
provide payment for my sin. Because of Christ's death, You can be both just and my justifier because I
have faith in Jesus. (Rom. 3:26) You are righteous and just to forgive me. That is a glorious, impossible,
unbelievable truth apart from Your grace and power and wisdom.

Thank you, Lord, that when I sin, I have an advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous, pleading for me.
When the Accuser of the brethren brings his accusations against me (Rev. 12:10), Jesus defends me
continually, saying, "The price for this sin has been paid for in full. This one is eternally loved and
accepted by the Father in Me." Even when my own conscience condemns me, my Helper reminds me
through the Word that Jesus my Advocate has washed me clean and is always interceding for me.

Thank you, Lord, that Christ is the propitiation for my sins. He has satisfied the demands that Your
holiness requires. Your wrath has been poured out on Jesus. There is none left for me. I could not stand
before Your wrath. I would be too afraid to approach You to ask for forgiveness and cleansing if I had to
face Your anger every time I sinned.

Thank you, Lord, for Jesus Christ the righteous. His perfect righteousness lived out in daily obedience,
qualified Him to be the sacrifice for my sin. Thank you that He took my sin on Himself, and thank you
that He gave me His perfect righteousness. Without it, I would hide from You covered in my own filthy
garments of sin and shame. Clothed in His perfect righteousness, when I sin, I can boldly approach
Your throne of grace to find the comfort of forgiveness and the strength to faithfully pursue holiness.

Thank you, Lord, for the cleansing blood of Jesus and the forgiveness it purchased for me. (Eph. 1:7)

Kim Anderson