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The Do Over Part 2: The Prayer for a Second Chance
By Beverly and David Sedlacek
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HEART SCAN
We all make mistakes and venture down paths we later wish for an opportunity to start over. In the last lesson we took a glimpse into the life of David, a man who kidnapped a married woman, slept with her, got her pregnant, and sought to cover it up by calling her husband Uriah back from war to make him (Uriah) sleep with his wife.

When this plan failed, David eventually sent Uriah back to war with specific instructions to put him at the front lines in order for him to be killed. In this story we have sex, lies, and murder. Yet David was a great king and considered to be “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). How is this possible?This is possible through the gift of repentance.

Repentance: is when a person feels sorry for the wrong they have done and have changed their behavior to not cause that hurt again.

  • When was the last time you felt deeply sorry for something you have done?
  • A popular statement says “never be a prisoner of your past. It was just a lesson not a life sentence.”What does this phrase mean to you?
Hope for the Hurting Heart
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DISCOVERY
  • Psalms 51
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Recognize
Read Psalms 51:1-2: How did David respond after he recognized his sins? David recognized God’s loving kindness for humanity and pleaded for His mercy. Then, David asked God to completely remove his sins from him and to wash him clean.

How have you responded after you recognized your sins?

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Start Fresh
Read Psalms 51:7-12: As you recognize your sins, what are some first steps you must take to get a fresh start?

The request David asked of God in verse 7 is to be “purged with hyssop” in order to be clean. This is significant because hyssop is a plant that was used to do deep cleansing. Therefore, David is asking God to do a deep cleansing in his life in order for him to be clean and have a fresh start.

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Reflect
David’s motivation for a fresh start is so that he can begin to do what is right out of love for God and for his fellow man. In addition to doing what is right, he wanted to help others to get a fresh start and teach them about Jesus who can forgive them for their sins and help them live a better life.
Do you believe you can start over?
How would you live differently?
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THE CHALLENGE
This week, think twice before making any decisions. Ask yourself, is this right? Will this help me become who I want to be? And will this honor God?
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PRAYER
Dear Jesus, I have sinned against You by my actions. I have sinned against You by hurting the people You created. I ask You today for Your forgiveness for my sins. I ask that You do for me as You did for David. That You will create in me a clean heart, 0 God, and put within me a right spirit. God, I need You, I need Your help to live an honest clean life. I pray that You will help me to live right and that I can teach others how to live right too. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!
DAVID SEDLACEK, PHD, LMSW, CFLE, AND WIFE BEVERLY SEDLACEK, DNP, PMHCNS-BC, are a counseling, therapy and educational team that operates Into His Rest Ministries, Huntsville, Alabama.
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