“Restore our judges as in former times, and our counselors as at the beginning; remove from us sorrow and sighing; reign over us, O Lord, You alone, in lovingkindness and tender mercy, and clear us in judgment. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the King who loves righteousness and judgment.”
For the Jewish people, and for all of us, there has always been the desire to live under rulers who are completely fair and honest. We want leaders who have no ulterior motives other than ruling with justice, fairness, and for the good of the common man.
This kind of government is hard to find because we are led by men. Because we are men, there is always a self-serving side to us. God reminds us of this in Deuteronomy 17:14-20, as we are told what to look for in a ruler, and instructions are given as to how a ruler is to begin his reign.
Through history (especially the history of the Jewish people), different parts of the populace face persecution and hardship caused by their leaders. Because of this there is a yearning for the righteous reign of God.
What would the ideal leader be like? Isaiah writes: “See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. Each man will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed, and the ears of those who hear will listen.” (Isaiah 32:1-3)
This prayer comes from Isaiah 1:26: “I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City." Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.”
We want leaders who will look to God for answers to difficult questions … and even simple decrees. We want leaders like Moses and Samuel who lead as God directs. But it is hard to find such leaders. We look to the future, and the righteous reign of God Himself.
Jesus prayed, ““Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt 6:10)
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Paul prayed the prayer in this way, “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:14-18)
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Amidah 10 – Prayer for the reunion of Israel
“Sound the great horn for our freedom; raise the ensign to gather our exiles, and gather us from the four corners of the earth. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who gathers the dispersed of Your people Israel.”
When one comes under the banner of Christ, things change. While it is Paul who says, “Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1), it is also Paul who writes, “when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles.” (Galatians 1:15-16)
Peter writes, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19)
For Paul this prayer was for the reunion of People with God through Christ. “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’ (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:11-13)
For God who created all people wants to bring them to Himself. This was God’s plan from the beginning of time. Through Israel God has shown us His plan. In the fullness of time Jesus was born according to the plan and prophecy laid out by God.
Jesus “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem’.” (Luke 24:46-47)
So let us sound the shofar, the great horn so people will know the freedom and salvation which only comes in Christ. Let us not be silent. Let us raise the ensign to exiles who know not the message of Christ so people from the four corners of the world may know the God of Israel and the salvation which comes through Jesus Christ.
When one comes under the banner of Christ, things change. While it is Paul who says, “Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” (Romans 10:1), it is also Paul who writes, “when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles.” (Galatians 1:15-16)
Peter writes, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19)
For Paul this prayer was for the reunion of People with God through Christ. “Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called ‘uncircumcised’ by those who call themselves ‘the circumcision’ (that done in the body by the hands of men)-- remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:11-13)
For God who created all people wants to bring them to Himself. This was God’s plan from the beginning of time. Through Israel God has shown us His plan. In the fullness of time Jesus was born according to the plan and prophecy laid out by God.
Jesus “opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem’.” (Luke 24:46-47)
So let us sound the shofar, the great horn so people will know the freedom and salvation which only comes in Christ. Let us not be silent. Let us raise the ensign to exiles who know not the message of Christ so people from the four corners of the world may know the God of Israel and the salvation which comes through Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Amidah 9 – Blessing for years of Good
“Bless this year for us, O Lord our God, together with all the varieties of its produce for our good. Give a blessing upon the face of the earth. And satisfy us with your goodness. Bless our year like the best of years. Blessed are you, O Lord, who blesses the years.”
Feast and famine, good and bad, we measure our days by our perception of life. This prayer asks God for good for us and for others and for satisfaction with life.
Life is full of good days and bad. There are curves in life that throw us off (Ge 31:38-42). Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Mt 6:34) Job 1-2 is the story of what can happen when things get bad. It is also the story of how to make things good, for Job refused to dishonor his God and in the end was given more than he lost.
The people of Israel needed God to bless them. They faced disease (Nu 11:33), famine (Ge 12:10; 26:1), wars (Ge 14:15; Judges 6:3), wild animals (Ge. 31:39; Ex 22:13, 31; Dt 28:49), insects (Dt 28:38f) and many other threats. They desired, as we do today, God’s blessings for years of good.
The Bible tells us, “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:” Deut 28:1-2)
Sometimes we think that bad and good come by chance: but this philosophy fails to recognize that God is in control of all things, and sometimes what we perceive to be good is not so good; and sometimes what we experience as horrible turns out for good (James 1). The scripture says: “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Ro. 8:28)
This is the key to the prayer for years of good, to remain close to the Lord. Solomon said, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” (Pr. 3) The Lord said, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron 7:13-14; 1 Kin 8:37)
Feast and famine, good and bad, we measure our days by our perception of life. This prayer asks God for good for us and for others and for satisfaction with life.
Life is full of good days and bad. There are curves in life that throw us off (Ge 31:38-42). Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Mt 6:34) Job 1-2 is the story of what can happen when things get bad. It is also the story of how to make things good, for Job refused to dishonor his God and in the end was given more than he lost.
The people of Israel needed God to bless them. They faced disease (Nu 11:33), famine (Ge 12:10; 26:1), wars (Ge 14:15; Judges 6:3), wild animals (Ge. 31:39; Ex 22:13, 31; Dt 28:49), insects (Dt 28:38f) and many other threats. They desired, as we do today, God’s blessings for years of good.
The Bible tells us, “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:” Deut 28:1-2)
Sometimes we think that bad and good come by chance: but this philosophy fails to recognize that God is in control of all things, and sometimes what we perceive to be good is not so good; and sometimes what we experience as horrible turns out for good (James 1). The scripture says: “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Ro. 8:28)
This is the key to the prayer for years of good, to remain close to the Lord. Solomon said, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” (Pr. 3) The Lord said, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chron 7:13-14; 1 Kin 8:37)
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Amidah 8 – Healing
Understanding we are sinners; Repentance of Sin; Forgiveness which comes from God; and Deliverance from consequences: These are all part of God’s love for us. But the love of God goes beyond. The love of God can bring healing.
The healing of God can be physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The healing that comes from God is always what we need. Healing is more than being cleaned from sin. It is more than deliverance from consequences. Healing is being brought back to where we were before the sin. Healing is the final step to the process of our redemption.
An example of healing is found in the story of the paralytic lowered through the roof in Mark 2. Jesus forgave his sins. The Pharisees did not believe he was cleansed and forgiven. To demonstrate God’s power, Jesus went beyond forgiving the man: the man was healed and walked away.
An example from the Old Testament is found in 1 Kings 5, where Naaman is stricken with leprosy. His maid pointed him to the source of healing. Through this story we see God confronting Naaman’s sin of pride, and bringing healing.
Paul wrote: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:6-7)
God wants us to understand His greatness and mercy. The process of healing shows us that even though all seems to be falling apart, we have a God who has the power and ability to make things whole again. Healing on earth is a foretaste of what will happen in heaven.
The prayer for healing is for those who need healing from their sin, those who have been impacted by the sin of others, and for some who just need to understand the miracles and power of God.
“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” (Rev. 22:1-3)
The most important part of healing is spiritual healing. Through sin we are separated from God. This brings more sickness. God realizing this sent His Son into the world. Christ died that our sin might be forgiven. Through the gift of Salvation we are made well. When our relationship is returned to God and we love Him with all our heart, soul and strength (Deut 6:5), we are healed.
The Psalmist writes: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,” (Psalm 103:2-4) Look at these benefits: forgiving and healing; redemption and crowning. This is what God wants to do as we come close to Him.
The healing of God can be physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The healing that comes from God is always what we need. Healing is more than being cleaned from sin. It is more than deliverance from consequences. Healing is being brought back to where we were before the sin. Healing is the final step to the process of our redemption.
An example of healing is found in the story of the paralytic lowered through the roof in Mark 2. Jesus forgave his sins. The Pharisees did not believe he was cleansed and forgiven. To demonstrate God’s power, Jesus went beyond forgiving the man: the man was healed and walked away.
An example from the Old Testament is found in 1 Kings 5, where Naaman is stricken with leprosy. His maid pointed him to the source of healing. Through this story we see God confronting Naaman’s sin of pride, and bringing healing.
Paul wrote: “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:6-7)
God wants us to understand His greatness and mercy. The process of healing shows us that even though all seems to be falling apart, we have a God who has the power and ability to make things whole again. Healing on earth is a foretaste of what will happen in heaven.
The prayer for healing is for those who need healing from their sin, those who have been impacted by the sin of others, and for some who just need to understand the miracles and power of God.
“There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Rev. 21:4)
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.” (Rev. 22:1-3)
The most important part of healing is spiritual healing. Through sin we are separated from God. This brings more sickness. God realizing this sent His Son into the world. Christ died that our sin might be forgiven. Through the gift of Salvation we are made well. When our relationship is returned to God and we love Him with all our heart, soul and strength (Deut 6:5), we are healed.
The Psalmist writes: “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,” (Psalm 103:2-4) Look at these benefits: forgiving and healing; redemption and crowning. This is what God wants to do as we come close to Him.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Amidah 7 – Redemption
The prayer of the Amidah lays out the path of our forgiveness. God is Holy. His love helps us understand not only that we are sinners, but our specific sin. When God confronts us with our sin we realize the hopelessness of our situation … and our need for God. We repent of our sin, and God forgives us of our sin. As far as the east is from the west our sin is removed.
But one thing remains after our sin is removed: the consequences. Eliphaz the Temanite said, “I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8) Paul wrote, “A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7) Think it through. Sin can leave consequences.
But our God in all of His grace can go beyond removing our sin. God can deliver and redeem us from its consequences. God is our protection from the consequences of our sin.
Sometimes our sin creates enemies. Sometimes it results in losses (in relationships, financial or health). Sometimes our sin will create shame if found out.
Beyond understanding we have sinned, and asking forgiveness, God wants us to love Him. God desires relationship with us. God can and will redeem us. When we return from our sin and look to God again for His care and guidance, we can be delivered from the results of our sin.
“The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:18-19)
Psalm 31 begins: “In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.”
Redemption is the above and beyond quality that goes beyond our forgiveness. It can be undoing the harm that was created by the sin. Deliverance can help us by eliminating the ‘could be’ consequences of our actions.
But one thing remains after our sin is removed: the consequences. Eliphaz the Temanite said, “I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.” (Job 4:8) Paul wrote, “A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7) Think it through. Sin can leave consequences.
But our God in all of His grace can go beyond removing our sin. God can deliver and redeem us from its consequences. God is our protection from the consequences of our sin.
Sometimes our sin creates enemies. Sometimes it results in losses (in relationships, financial or health). Sometimes our sin will create shame if found out.
Beyond understanding we have sinned, and asking forgiveness, God wants us to love Him. God desires relationship with us. God can and will redeem us. When we return from our sin and look to God again for His care and guidance, we can be delivered from the results of our sin.
“The eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:18-19)
Psalm 31 begins: “In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.”
Redemption is the above and beyond quality that goes beyond our forgiveness. It can be undoing the harm that was created by the sin. Deliverance can help us by eliminating the ‘could be’ consequences of our actions.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Amidah 6 – Forgiveness
Forgiveness follows Repentance. The scripture says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:19)
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
God desires that we stay in right relationship with Him. From the very beginning God has sought to forgive our sins. God provided a sacrifice in the Garden of Eden (Ge 3:21); and then taught us how to repent and give sacrifices including the sin offering (Leviticus 4) pointing to the forgiveness which is offered through Jesus Christ (Titus 2:14).
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. This is the purpose for which God sent Him. God in His unfailing love provided the perfect method for redemption. (Psalm 119:153-160) The Lord Himself provides redemption. (Psalm 130:7-8)
The ways of the Lord are love and faithfulness. When we understand the seriousness of our Sin and desire to turn to God’s ways, God desires to forgive us. When God forgives us, it is as if our sin never existed. It is wiped out and as if it is no more. God’s forgiveness makes us appear not just ok, but as righteous (Romans 4:5).
From the Amidah in Ephesians we read, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,” (Eph 1:7) Paul tells us, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:13-14) God removes our sin so well that it is as far as the east is from the west, (Psalm 103:12)
With our sin taken away, our relationship with God can be pure.
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
God desires that we stay in right relationship with Him. From the very beginning God has sought to forgive our sins. God provided a sacrifice in the Garden of Eden (Ge 3:21); and then taught us how to repent and give sacrifices including the sin offering (Leviticus 4) pointing to the forgiveness which is offered through Jesus Christ (Titus 2:14).
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer. This is the purpose for which God sent Him. God in His unfailing love provided the perfect method for redemption. (Psalm 119:153-160) The Lord Himself provides redemption. (Psalm 130:7-8)
The ways of the Lord are love and faithfulness. When we understand the seriousness of our Sin and desire to turn to God’s ways, God desires to forgive us. When God forgives us, it is as if our sin never existed. It is wiped out and as if it is no more. God’s forgiveness makes us appear not just ok, but as righteous (Romans 4:5).
From the Amidah in Ephesians we read, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,” (Eph 1:7) Paul tells us, “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Col. 2:13-14) God removes our sin so well that it is as far as the east is from the west, (Psalm 103:12)
With our sin taken away, our relationship with God can be pure.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Amidah 5 - Repentance
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
" There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
"When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, `We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause." (1 Kings 8:46-49)
Because we all sin, we need to understand the prayer of repentance. God desires for us to recognize our sins. The Lord wants us to desire His righteous, to despise or sin, to forsake our sin, to bring to an end the things that are causing the sin, to chart a course away from our sin, to set boundaries so we do not repeat the sin, to restore losses to those who have been harmed by our sin, and to step out in faith to a new life beyond our sin.
Repentance means "the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings." (Webster) In other words, repentance is not just a prayer to say to God we are sorry. Repentance is a process of understanding what we have done wrong and turning so we do not repeat the wrong. As we seek God, we seek understanding (Amidah 4), forgiveness (Amidah 6), Deliverance (Amidah 7) and healing (Amidah 8). If successful we will return to the years of prosperity (Amidah 9).
During our prayer of repentance we allow our heart to break before God (Psalm 51) so He can help us understand the wrong and point us to the action needed by us in order to turn from the sin and to return to God and His people.
According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, the prayer for repentance begins by humbling ourselves (the brokenness), seeking God's wisdom, and turning from our wickedness. Repentance is a process and an action.
It is through proper repentance that we set the stage for God to forgive. That is the next benediction in the Amidah. "To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ." (Ephesians 1:6-9)
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
" There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
"When they sin against you--for there is no one who does not sin--and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to his own land, far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their conquerors and say, `We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause." (1 Kings 8:46-49)
Because we all sin, we need to understand the prayer of repentance. God desires for us to recognize our sins. The Lord wants us to desire His righteous, to despise or sin, to forsake our sin, to bring to an end the things that are causing the sin, to chart a course away from our sin, to set boundaries so we do not repeat the sin, to restore losses to those who have been harmed by our sin, and to step out in faith to a new life beyond our sin.
Repentance means "the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings." (Webster) In other words, repentance is not just a prayer to say to God we are sorry. Repentance is a process of understanding what we have done wrong and turning so we do not repeat the wrong. As we seek God, we seek understanding (Amidah 4), forgiveness (Amidah 6), Deliverance (Amidah 7) and healing (Amidah 8). If successful we will return to the years of prosperity (Amidah 9).
During our prayer of repentance we allow our heart to break before God (Psalm 51) so He can help us understand the wrong and point us to the action needed by us in order to turn from the sin and to return to God and His people.
According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, the prayer for repentance begins by humbling ourselves (the brokenness), seeking God's wisdom, and turning from our wickedness. Repentance is a process and an action.
It is through proper repentance that we set the stage for God to forgive. That is the next benediction in the Amidah. "To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ." (Ephesians 1:6-9)
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