Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In Mark 7:22, Jesus lists a number of evil behaviors that come from within and defile a person. He says, "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness." Today, I want to focus on the sin of wickedness and how we should approach it in prayer and in our journey towards healing.
Wickedness is a deep-seated inclination towards evil, and it's a sin that can easily take root in our hearts if we're not careful. We see wickedness all around us: in the news, in our communities, and even within our own families. It's a sin that's often associated with malicious intent, cruelty, and a lack of regard for others.
But how do we pray about this sin? First and foremost, we need to acknowledge our own tendencies towards wickedness and ask God for forgiveness. We need to recognize that we're all sinners, and we all fall short of God's glory. We can't overcome wickedness on our own; we need the help of the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and minds.
In our prayers, we should ask God to reveal any areas of wickedness in our lives and to help us overcome them. We should also pray for those who are trapped in wickedness, that they would turn away from their sin and find forgiveness and healing in Christ.
But how do we heal from wickedness? How do we break free from its grasp? The first step is to confess our sin and repent of it. We need to turn away from our wickedness and turn towards God. We need to make a conscious decision to obey His commands and follow His ways.
We should also surround ourselves with other believers who can support us in our journey towards healing. We should seek out Christian counseling or therapy if necessary, and we should spend time in prayer and Bible study to strengthen our faith.
Finally, we should remember that healing from wickedness is a lifelong journey. It's not something that happens overnight, and we may stumble along the way. But with the help of the Holy Spirit and the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we can overcome wickedness and find true freedom in Christ.
In conclusion, let us pray together: Heavenly Father, we come to you today and confess our tendency towards wickedness. We ask for your forgiveness and for the strength to turn away from our sin. We pray for those who are trapped in wickedness, that they would find freedom and healing in Christ. Help us to surround ourselves with other believers who can support us in our journey towards healing, and give us the courage to seek out help if we need it. We thank you for your grace and your mercy, and we pray that you would continue to transform our hearts and minds for your glory. Amen.
May the peace of God be with you all.
Your brother in Christ, St. Paul
