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Billy Graham's Daily Devotion

Tears of Repentance

June 21, 2013

Now change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins and send you wonderful times of
refreshment from the presence of the Lord.
–Acts 3:19 (TLB)

There is a certain amount of sorrow involved in repentance that we don’t see much of today. That word means moaning and even groaning. I don’t mean that we have to have a great emotional experience, but I do believe that we need some tears of repentance. We need to be sorry for our sins, and to say, “Oh, God, I have sinned against You, and I’m sorry.” I am not an emotional person. I don’t know why, but I don’t cry easily. But of the few times I have cried in my life, some of them have been over sin that I committed many years ago.

The night I came to Christ, I didn’t have any tears. But later I went home and I looked out my window at the North Carolina sky and I cried over my sins. I said, “Oh, God, forgive me.” And the most wonderful peace swept over my soul. From that moment on, I’ve known that my sins were forgiven.

Prayer for the day

There is sorrow in my soul when I remember how I fail You, loving Lord. Forgive my frailties.

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14 Comments

Rose says 6.21.2012, 09:34 a.m.

Please pray that God will intervene in my life.

Ray says 6.21.2012, 08:44 a.m.

I need to get closer to him. I need a fresh new anointing. God bless.

Gerry says 6.21.2012, 05:27 a.m.

Whether tears flow or not God knows your heart and mind. Genuine , soul wrenching repentance, cannot be hidden from him.

T says 6.21.2012, 03:19 a.m.

I often cry and feel sorry for my sin and want to repent but I either have a hard time trusting Jesus or I feel I can't be forgiven. Thanks for posting this.

Annie says 6.19.2012, 1:20 p.m.

Without tears of repentance, there can be no forgiveness,.....people who repent proof they know God, they delight in God and they fear God.....! Lord, You know my vessel is not perfect, don't look upon my frailties, look upon Your grace in Jesus name.

Fortpin says 6.21.2011, 9:52 p.m.

Happy and sad, grateful and repentance, when I came to the Lord the first time in my prayer to receive Christ as my Savior and Lord. Happy and grateful for the grace of God. Sad and repentance for the sin I knew that I have committed. Amazing Grace is the song that sums up so well how I felt, that is why so many like Amazing Grace. I definite do, is my favorite!

Denise says 6.21.2011, 2:01 p.m.

Susan, be encouraged this day. Your request has been heard, first by your Heavenly Father who loves you so much. I, too, prayed that you will regain strength and weight, and that your mind and spirit will be renewed by the power and love in Christ Jesus. Others are praying for you, too. Thank you for sharing your request. May God bless you.

Susan says 6.21.2011, 12:09 a.m.

Fellow CHRISTIANS. Please pray for me. I have been very I'll and need to regain strength and weight and renewing of mind and spirit. Please pray for all others that are I'll as well. Thank you and God Bless You all!

Joe says 6.21.2011, 10:43 a.m.

At present living in a city, I remember the days when I let the moonlight come into my room and I used to speak to God, Many a time with tears in my eyes, and I treasure those days. But anyways, the beauty is that my Lord Jesus is present even in the 'city' that I live and I still exp His grace everyday. Thank you Jesus. Thanks Billy for the reminder! - 'A sinner saved by Grace'

MC says 6.21.2011, 09:32 a.m.

it's so hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that a Holy Awesome Almighty God would die for me so I can have forgiveness of my sins and believe they are many. Holy Father please teach me to really accept the fact that I am forgiven for all the wrong I have caused. Thank You for dying in my place>. Thank You for your blood being shred so that I can be forgive, Oh mighty Jesus how does one really say Thank You to You for all You have done at the cross. Jesus once your enemy now seated at your table Jesus Thank You. I am really forgiven help me to really get it. In His Name. Amen

Rich says 6.21.2011, 08:37 a.m.

Please Lord watch over me today. Be there for me.

Adeline says 6.21.2011, 08:21 a.m.

I am amazed how God loves me, when I am unlovable God loves me, when I am unforgivable God forgives me, after all the bad, horrible things I've done and said He still wants me to be in His family! I am amazed...

Gerry says 6.21.2011, 06:30 a.m.

God's patience is astounding. I start each day with good intentions, determine to do my best not to sin. Unfortunately however, I usually find my self failing before too long in some way or another and need to repent and ask for forgiveness. God knows your heart intimately and whether there are tears or not he is faithful to forgive and help you march onward.

K says 6.20.2011, 12:34 a.m.

it truly saddens me not because I have sinned or am a sinner (which I am) but that I miss or am not ready to respond to the Call of God at any given moment. Like Martha I am often busy doing so I will be ready when He calls only to find that He has already come and gone :-( It's the fussing about not having "the appropriate apparel" or that basket of laundry that is always there, that has caused me to miss that precious moment. So even more than than past sins I just miss Him.

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