"The Prayer of Forgiveness"

1. Those who wish to engage in war-time asking, seeking, knocking, must live in the Word; the Word is the manual for war, Deuteronomy 32:47; Job 23:12; Matthew 5:17-20.

2. The presumption of grace and forgiveness can be deadly; we must take sin seriously, 1 Samuel 3:18; 1 Kings 13:7; Isaiah 39:8; Jeremiah 36:24; Ezekiel 20:49; 33:30-33; Zephaniah 1:12; 2 Corinthians 7:8-13.

3. A life that begins in repentance will continue in repentance; we must ask, seek and knock for forgiveness and the gift of repentance, 1 John 1:6-10; Psalm 32:3-5; 51:1-5.

4. What are the signs of true repentance? 2 Corinthians 7:9-11.

5. Bask, dwell in, and rejoice in His forgiveness, 1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:1-2; 51:6-12; 88:5-6.

Discussion questions:
1. What is the difference between sorrow, confession and repentance?
2. Why is it easier to confess to God than to a real person?
3. Discuss the signs of true repentance. Must they all be present?
4. What are some steps we can take so that we take sin more seriously? What about grace? Is taking sin seriously a faithless way of looking at grace? Should you feel bad about sinning? For how long?