Last Sunday, at the end of a late-night writing session, I suddenly began to receive today’s prayer. It’s taken me three days to express it in a way that fully and accurately reflects what I saw.
The background to this blog is that for several weeks I have been living with a constant sense of dread. This sensation was triggered by a dream which called to mind a sin I committed many years ago. I had never confessed it to the person concerned.
Despite having now been honest with that person, who forgave me immediately, the sense of dread has continued. Long experience has shown that once my dread has been re-triggered, it can continue for many months. Unable to “feel” forgiven, I simply continue to be extremely anxious. Sadly, I have never found out how to “let go” of this dread, so I can move on.
Mercifully, today’s prayer offers a way to begin moving forward, which I’m now practicing repeatedly, many times each day.
He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; NLT).
I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more (Hebrews 8:12; NIV).
Lord,
You’ve washed away my sin,
And promised to remember it
No more.
Having sent it far away,
You love me just as deeply
As before.
This time, I won’t wait,
And only feel forgiven
When my dread has passed –
Instead, I’ll try repeatedly
To trust your promise,
And move on, at last.
In God – I boast in his promise – in God I trust, I am not afraid (Psalm 56:4; NET).
God willing, we will move forward to further understanding (Hebrews 6:3; NLT).
References
He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people (Titus 2:14; NLT).
Who am I? I’m the one who wipes out your offenses! For my own sake, I do not remember your wrongs (Isaiah 43:25; TIB).
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29; NLT).
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12; NLT).
He loves us with unfailing love; the LORD’s faithfulness endures forever (Psalm 117:2; NLT).
Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me (John 14:1; NLT).
He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).
The Rosary Hospital
