A Prayer for When We’ve Committed “Big” Sins

Lord Jesus, 

I know you’ve said my sins are forgiven 

when I trusted in you as Savior, but…

You don’t know how big and bad this one is.

You don’t know how many times I’ve done it.

You don’t know how many people I’ve harmed 

and how severe the damage is.

You don’t know how helpless I feel 

to never do this terrible thing again.

Hear how Jesus might respond to such a prayer, 

based on what Scripture tells us:

“Actually, I do know, because I know everything about you. 

I know the dark depths of your heart. 

I know that you were dead in your sin (Ephesians 2:1).

I know you were helpless to rescue yourself (Matthew 9:36).

That’s why I drank the full cup 

of our holy Father’s wrath on your behalf (Isaiah 51:17),

so you could drink of the overflowing cup 

of his mercy and forgiveness (Ephesians 2:4).

And I know the consequences of this sin (Hebrews 12:4-7).

I am in the business of restoring broken things, 

so I know you’ll need to keep coming to me 

to learn how to love and live in the freedom 

for which I have set you free (Galatians 5:1).”

Thank you, Jesus, that Scripture gives us such hope, 

that when we come to you with all of our sins, “big” and “little,” 

you will never cast us out.

In your restoring name. Amen.

[This prayer was inspired by a chapter in Dane Ortlund’s book Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers].