A Prayer of Repentance & Return

 

Week 1: Prayer & Intercession

Title: A Prayer of Repentance & Return
Date: September 1, 2025
Category: Prayer & Intercession
Theme: Repentance & Renewal

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Scripture Focus:

“Return to Me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you.”
—Zechariah 1:3 (NIV)

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Prayer:

Gracious and Holy Father,

I come before You today with a heart that’s been distracted, distant, and sometimes disobedient. I don’t hide my brokenness—I bring it to You. I admit that I’ve strayed, I’ve tried to do things in my own strength, and I’ve ignored Your gentle nudges. But today, Lord, I return.

I return to the place where I first fell in love with You. I return to the posture of surrender, to the presence of peace, and to the purity of Your will. Father, forgive me. Cleanse me. Wash me from every sin—every secret thing, every hardened area, every rebellious thought.

I repent for allowing the world’s pull to feel stronger than Your promises. I repent for every time I chose convenience over conviction. I repent for giving people more influence than Your voice.

Lord, I don’t want to play church—I want to be the church. I don’t want a religious performance—I want real repentance. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.

I thank You that Your mercy met me this morning. That Your grace chased me down. That Your love didn’t give up on me—even when I gave up on myself.

I declare today that I am Yours. Fully. Freely. Forever.

Draw me back to the secret place. Stir up the fire again. Reignite my hunger for holiness and restore my desire to please You more than anything.

I come back home, Lord.

Amen.

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Reflection:

• Is there an area in your life that God is calling you to surrender?

• What have you been carrying that He’s asking you to release?

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Challenge for the Week:
Take 10 minutes each day this week to sit quietly with God. No music. No phone. Just prayer, reflection, and repentance.

If you can, I would love for you to join us this Sunday at 1:30 pm on Facebook Live (RWCBaltimore). We'd love to see you in the place.

You can also join this Thursday Night at 6:00 pm for Bible Study on our Free Conference Line: (518) 351-9917 

Be Encouraged, Know that I Love you!!

You’re Not Failing – You’re Growing

 

Title: You’re Not Failing – You’re Growing
Date: August 25, 2025
Category: Encouragement
Theme: Faith

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Scripture:

“Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
—Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

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Encouragement Word:

Sometimes growth feels like failure.

You pray more, but the storm still rages.
You fast, but the breakthrough doesn’t come right away.
You say no to sin, but temptation keeps knocking.
You want to give God your best—but you feel like you’re falling short.

Let me encourage you with this truth: You’re not failing. You’re growing.

Growth doesn’t always look like progress. It often looks like pruning, pressure, or even pain. But underneath the surface, roots are taking hold. Strength is building. Your spiritual muscles are being stretched and developed.

God sees you. He sees your yes even when you’re tired. He hears your cries even when no one else does. You are further along than you think, and God is not finished with you yet.

Keep showing up. Keep repenting. Keep praying. You’re growing.

And one day, you’ll look back and thank God you didn’t give up. Because what felt like failure was really your spiritual foundation getting stronger.

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Declaration:

I am not a failure.
I am a child of God.
I am growing in grace.
I am becoming all that God has called me to be.
And I will finish strong—in Jesus’ name.

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Prayer:

Lord, when I feel discouraged, remind me that You’re still working on me. Help me to trust the process—even when I don’t see the progress. Thank You for never giving up on me. I believe I’m not failing... I’m growing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you can, I would love for you to join us this Sunday at 1:30 pm on Facebook Live (RWCBaltimore). We'd love to see you in the place.

You can also join this Thursday Night at 6:00 pm for Bible Study on our Free Conference Line: (518) 351-9917  

Be Encouraged, Know that I Love you!!! 

Now Faith Is…

 Title: Now Faith Is…

Date: August 11, 2025
Category: Scripture Reading & Devotional
Theme: Faith

Scripture:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
—Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

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Devotional Thought:

Faith is not just a feeling—it’s a foundation. It is what holds us up when everything around us is shaking. Hebrews 11:1 reminds us that faith gives substance to our hope. That means what we’re praying for, waiting for, and believing for—faith makes it real before we even see it.

When we say, “I believe God will make a way,” that’s faith.
When we choose to worship while waiting, that’s faith.
When we walk into rooms without knowing what’s next but trusting the One who sent us, that’s faith.

The Word says “Now faith is.” Not yesterday’s faith. Not tomorrow’s maybe-faith. But right now—today—faith is active. That means faith speaks when our situation looks silent. Faith moves when our flesh wants to stay stuck. Faith believes when our emotions say, “Give up.”

We don’t need perfect circumstances to believe—just a willing heart to trust God at His Word. Real faith is not in what we can see or control but in the God who sees all and holds all together.

Today, don’t let what we don’t see rob us of what God said. Now faith is what activates the promise.

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Reflection Prompt:

• What have you been hoping for that requires you to activate your “Now Faith”?

• Write it down and speak life over it this week.

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Let's Pray:

Lord, help me to walk in now faith. Not in fear, not in delay, not in what-ifs—but in the confidence that You are who You say You are. Strengthen my hope and let faith rise up in me today.

In Jesus Name, 

Amen.

If you can, I would love for you to join us this Sunday at 1:30 pm on Facebook Live (RWCBaltimore). We'd love to see you in the place.

You can also join this Thursday Night at 6:00 pm for Bible Study on our Free Conference Line: (518) 351-9917 

Be Encouraged, Know that I Love you!! 

Let's Pray

 Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart that longs to believe You more deeply and follow You more faithfully. In a world full of distractions, delays, and discouragements, I ask that You strengthen my faith—not just when things are going right, but especially when I don’t understand what You’re doing.

Lord, help me to walk by faith and not by sight. When my eyes see obstacles, help my spirit see opportunities. When I feel overwhelmed, remind me that You are still in control. Teach me to trust in Your timing, Your plan, and Your character.

Forgive me for the times I’ve doubted You, complained, or feared what’s ahead. Today I surrender my fears, my confusion, and even my impatience. I exchange them for Your peace, Your promises, and Your perfect will.

Lord, increase my faith so I can believe for healing even when the report says otherwise. Increase my faith so I can declare breakthrough even while I’m still in the battle. Increase my faith so I can say, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”

Give me faith that endures trials, faith that stands in the fire, and faith that says, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

And Father, for every person reading this prayer right now—I pray You strengthen their faith too. Let them know You’re with them, You love them, and You haven’t forgotten them.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

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Reflection Verse:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
—Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

If you can, I would love for you to join us this Sunday at 1:30 pm on Facebook Live (RWCBaltimore). We'd love to see you in the place.

You can also join this Thursday Night at 6:00 pm for Bible Study on our Free Conference Line: (518) 351-9917 

Be Encouraged, Know that I Love you!! 

The Power of Self-Compassion: Embracing Kindness Towards Yourself

 

In a world that often demands perfection and relentless achievement, it's easy to be harsh on ourselves. We set high standards, criticize our flaws, and internalize our mistakes. But what if I told you that there's a transformative power within us—one that can change the way we view ourselves and navigate through life? This power is self-compassion.

Self-compassion is the gentle art of extending kindness, understanding, and acceptance to ourselves, especially in times of struggle or suffering. It's about treating ourselves with the same warmth and care that we would offer to a dear friend. And in my podcast, "Words of Encouragement with Lionel Pearson," I delve into the profound impact that self-compassion can have on our lives.

The journey of self-compassion begins with a shift in mindset. It's about recognizing that we are worthy of love and acceptance, just as we are. Instead of berating ourselves for our perceived shortcomings, we learn to speak to ourselves with kindness and understanding. We offer ourselves the same level of compassion that we would offer to a friend facing similar challenges.

But self-compassion is more than just positive self-talk. It's about embracing our imperfections and acknowledging our humanity. It's about recognizing that we all experience pain, struggle, and vulnerability—and that these experiences are what connect us as human beings. When we embrace our imperfections, we cultivate a sense of self-acceptance that is truly transformative.

Research has shown that self-compassion is strongly linked to improved mental and emotional well-being. By practicing self-compassion, we can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. We become more resilient in the face of life's challenges, and we experience greater levels of happiness and life satisfaction.

But perhaps most importantly, self-compassion fosters a deeper sense of connection and empathy toward others. When we extend compassion to ourselves, we become more compassionate toward others. We recognize that we are all struggling in our own ways, and we offer each other the same level of kindness and understanding that we offer ourselves.

So how can we cultivate self-compassion in our daily lives? It starts with mindfulness—being present in the moment and acknowledging our thoughts and feelings without judgment. It's about treating ourselves with kindness and understanding, even when we make mistakes or face challenges.

It also involves self-care—taking the time to nurture our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Whether it's through meditation, exercise, or spending time with loved ones, self-care is an essential component of self-compassion.

And finally, it's about practicing gratitude—acknowledging the blessings and abundance in our lives, even in the midst of difficulty. By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives, we cultivate a mindset of abundance and gratitude that can transform our outlook on life.

In conclusion, self-compassion is a powerful force for good in our lives. It's about treating ourselves with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, especially in times of struggle or suffering. And in my podcast, "Words of Encouragement with Lionel Pearson," I invite you to join me on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Together, let's embrace the transformative power of self-compassion and create a world filled with kindness, empathy, and love.