Topical Encyclopedia Repentance is a fundamental concept in Christian theology, signifying a sincere turning away from sin and a turning towards God. It involves a change of mind and heart, leading to a transformation of life. In the biblical context, repentance is not merely an emotional response but a decisive act of the will, often accompanied by prayer as an expression of one's contrition and desire for forgiveness.Prayer is an essential component of genuine repentance, serving as a means of communication with God. Through prayer, individuals confess their sins, seek divine forgiveness, and express their commitment to change. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the importance of prayer in the process of repentance. In the Old Testament, the prophet Daniel exemplifies repentance accompanied by prayer. In Daniel 9:3-4 , he states, "So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments.'" Daniel's prayer is a model of humility and earnestness, acknowledging both personal and communal sin. The New Testament also emphasizes the role of prayer in repentance. In Acts 8:22 , Peter instructs Simon the sorcerer, "Repent, therefore, of your wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for the intent of your heart." Here, prayer is presented as a necessary step in seeking God's forgiveness and aligning one's heart with His will. Jesus Himself underscores the importance of prayer in the context of repentance. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, found in Luke 18:10-14 , the tax collector's prayer is a poignant example of repentant prayer: "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'" Jesus commends this prayer, highlighting the tax collector's humility and genuine repentance. The Apostle John also links confession and prayer in the process of repentance. In 1 John 1:9 , he writes, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession, a form of prayer, is integral to repentance, as it acknowledges one's sins before God and seeks His cleansing power. Throughout Scripture, prayer is depicted as a vital expression of repentance, reflecting a heart that is truly contrite and seeking restoration with God. It is through prayer that believers can experience the grace and mercy of God, leading to a renewed relationship with Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 8:33When your people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against you, and shall turn again to you, and confess your name, and pray, and make supplication to you in this house: Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 8:22 Library Repentance and victory The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ... The Second Day in Passion-Week - the Barren Fig-Tree - the ... It is Also of Importance to Observe, that the Four Laws of Prayer ... Against the Belief of those who Think that the Sins which have ... Solomon's Repentance Prayer and Character and Conduct Of Prayer Vision Third. Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church ... Knox's Book of Common Order. Resources What is repentance and is it necessary for salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about repentance? What does it mean to repent? | GotQuestions.org Is repentance a change of mind or a turning from sin? | GotQuestions.org Repentance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Repentance by the Operation of the Holy Spirit Repentance by the Preaching of Haggai Repentance by the Preaching of Oded Repentance in Asking for a King Repentance in the Time of Asa, by the Preaching of Azariah Repentance of Their Idolatry, when Afflicted by the Philistines Repentance of Worshiping the Golden Calf Repentance: Achan, Because of his Theft Repentance: After Hearing the Law Expounded by Ezra Repentance: Ahab, when Reproved by Elijah for Ahab's Idolatry Repentance: At the Dedication of the Second Temple Repentance: Balaam, of his Spiritual Blindness Repentance: Because of Their Idolatrous Marriages Repentance: Because of Their Oppressive Usury Repentance: Called Repentance to Life Repentance: Called Repentance to Salvation Repentance: Christ Came to Call Sinners To Repentance: Christ Exalted to Give Repentance: Commanded by Christ Repentance: Commanded to all by God Repentance: Condition of God's Favor Repentance: Conviction of Sin Necessary To Repentance: Danger of Neglecting Repentance: David, at the Rebuke of Nathan, for his Sins of Adultery and Murder Repentance: Denied to Apostates Repentance: Hezekiah, at the Time of his Sickness Repentance: Illustrated: The Prodigal Son Repentance: Illustrated: The Repentant Son Repentance: Jonah, After his Punishment Repentance: Joseph's Brothers, of Their Maltreatment of Joseph Repentance: Josiah, when he Heard the Law of God Which had been Discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah Repentance: Manasseh, when he Was Carried Away Captive to Babylon by the King of Assyria Repentance: Ministers should Rejoice Over Their People on Their Repentance: Necessary to the Pardon of Sin Repentance: Neglect of, Followed by Swift Judgment Repentance: Not to be Repented of Repentance: Peter, Because of his Denial of Jesus Repentance: Pharaoh, of his Hardness of Heart Repentance: Preached by Christ Repentance: Preached by John the Baptist Repentance: Preached by the Apostles Repentance: Preached in the Name of Christ Repentance: Rehoboam, when his Kingdom Was Invaded, and Jerusalem Was Besieged Repentance: Repentance of Their Complaining Because of Lack of Bread and Water Repentance: Saul, at the Rebuke of Samuel for not Destroying the Amalekites Repentance: should be Accompanied by Confession Repentance: should be Accompanied by Conversion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Faith Repentance: should be Accompanied by Greater Zeal in the Path of Duty Repentance: should be Accompanied by Humility Repentance: should be Accompanied by Prayer Repentance: should be Accompanied by Self-Abhorrence Repentance: should be Accompanied by Shame and Confusion Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Idolatry Repentance: should be Accompanied by Turning from Sin Repentance: should be Evidenced by Fruits Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of Jesus Repentance: The Burden of the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Disobedient Son Repentance: The Ephesians, by the Preaching of Paul Repentance: The Jews, by the Preaching of John the Baptist Repentance: The Ninevites, by the Preaching of Jonah Repentance: The Present Time the Season For Repentance: The Wicked: Averse To Repentance: The Wicked: Condemned for Neglecting Repentance: The Wicked: Neglect the Time Given For Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led to by the Judgments of God Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led To, by Miraculous Interference Repentance: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus With Oil Repentance: There is Joy in Heaven Over One Sinner Brought To Repentance: True: Thief on the Cross Repentance: Unavailing: To Esau Repentance: Unavailing: To Israel Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Repentance: Under the Influence of Hezekiah Repentance: we should be Led To, by Godly Sorrow Works Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Chastisements of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Goodness of God Repentance: we should be Led To, by The Patience of God Repentance: when Rebuked by an Angel for not Expelling the Canaanites Repentance: when Reproved by the Prophet Micah Related Terms Long-suffering (23 Occurrences) |