Ask for God’s blessing:
Pray: Father God, as I seek a deeper encounter with your Son, speak directly to my heart and mind through your Holy Spirit. Guide my prayers that they might be sincere. May the truth of your word accomplish its purpose in me. Please thwart any attempt by the evil one to interfere in any way with what follows. Amen.
Assert spiritual authority:
Say aloud: As a child of God and with the authority of Jesus, I forbid any spirit that is not of God from interfering in any way with what follows. I command this in Jesus’ Name.
Ask for forgiveness:
Pray: “God, please bring to mind anything I’ve done that is offensive to you.” (If nothing comes to mind, skip the next prayer. If something comes to mind, continue:)
“Father God, I want to confess my sin to you and ask for your forgiveness. Specifically, I confess the sin (or sins) of ____________. (Be as specific as possible. Make a list if necessary.) Please forgive me and change me and cleanse me. Please grant me strength that I might truly turn from my sin. I receive your forgiveness. Thank you. Amen.”
Forgive others:
Pray: God, please bring to mind anyone I need to forgive.
(If no one comes to mind, skip the next prayer. If someone comes to mind, continue:)
Pray: God, I forgive _______ (name of person) for _________. (Name the sin as specifically as possible.) Please help me to forgive them from the heart. Amen.
(If you find yourself unable to forgive someone, pray this prayer: “Jesus, you know why it’s so difficult for me to forgive _______. Please help me to desire to forgive them and please heal me so completely that I am able to forgive them from my heart. Amen.”)
Encountering Jesus for Life 