Why the Prayer to Redeem is So Important

Prayer to redeem

The prayer for God to redeem may be the most important prayer we can pray. A long time ago, this word and concept drew me in. As I studied and prayed, I knew redemption included the big picture of salvation, but I also began to pray it over actions and words I desperately desired to take back. I realized God redeems more than our life. He can redeem our everyday.

I had to employ this concept last week (I’m so human). Hurtful words flew out of my mouth before I could lasso them back. I prayed my daughter-in-law’s ears did not hear and held my breath. A thousand excuses ran through my mind.

I was tired. I didn’t mean to say those words! The minute I heard myself say them I thought, “Oh no! I’m becoming one of those grumpy old women!” And then I began to rethink all those sitcoms where the mother-in-law lashes out with hurtful words. Ugh.

Thankfully, this time the recipient didn’t seem to catch my snarky remark, but other times my words have hurt someone I loved. Even though she didn’t seem hurt, I still prayed for God to redeem those words.

Moments that Need to be Redeemed

We all have moments when we don’t handle situations well. Some big. Some small. Sometimes we are the offender, but sometimes we’re the one offended, hurt by another human who has “not so good” moments too. Even if the pain was intentional, the old saying is true, “Hurting people, hurt people.”

We’re a mess! Some of us, a hot mess.

Yet there is hope. His name is Jesus. And He came to redeem our messy selves. 

Read David’s words in Psalm 103.

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 103:1-4

Pray to redeem

Redeem Me from the Pit

Did you read the last verse? It promises that Jesus redeems our life from the pit. I’ve been in some pits before. How about you? Sometimes I’ve voluntarily crawled into that pit after I’ve did or said something I regretted. However, this scripture promises redemption.

According to Webster, redeem has many meanings. Here are a few:

To repurchase, to win or get back, to free from what distresses or harms, to free from captivity or pay ransom, clear a blame or debt, or to help overcome something detrimental, to make good, to offset the bad effect, to make worthwhile. 

I really love this word. I’ve prayed it when I couldn’t take back my words, actions or my decisions. Especially when my kids were small. I prayed it a lot then! I wrote about it in my Ruth Bible study, which is all about redemption.

Here’s an excerpt:

That prayer for redemption has never ceased from my lips. I’ve needed it some days more than others. I think I’ll have to keep praying it as long as I’m human, covered in skin, in need of oxygen. Though I hope in time my spirit becomes less me and more like Jesus.

Every mistake, silly to serious, such as misspelling a literary agent’s name or adopting a puppy even with the likelihood my son’s allergies would flare up (which they did) or the huge blunder of hurting a friend’s heart—I’ve watched God redeem.

He takes those bad mistakes and uses them for something good, better, healthier. He’s not only redeemed me every day for eternity… He redeems my everyday.The Book of Ruth Key Word Bible Study: A 31-day Journey to Hope and Promise). 

Please Redeem It, Lord!

What about you? have you messed up lately? You’re not alone. But remember, we have a Redeemer. Let’s give our failures to Him. He can take what’s bad and make something good of it. I’ve seen it! I promise.

All we have to do is pray this simple prayer, “Redeem it, Lord! Please!”

Sounds too easy, doesn’t it? Well, that my friend is called grace. We don’t earn His redemption. We simply pray, knowing Jesus can do something better. He can use our failures for good.

Scriptures About Redemption

Revelation 1: 5-6 . . . and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood– and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In the definition above, in order for something to be redeemed, it’s paid for. Here is the definition: To repurchase, to win or get back, to free from what distresses or harms, to free from captivity or pay ransom, clear a blame or debt, or to help overcome something detrimental, to make good, to offset the bad effect, to make worthwhile. Jesus did all that for us with His life. Pray to understand this in new ways and how it affects not only your eternity but your everyday.

Isaiah 44:22I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me,for I have redeemed you.”

I think it’s so amazing that God redeems us before we are good. We don’t have to do anything accept return to Him. If you’re feeling like you’ve messed up, all you need to do is return it back to God. Pray, “Lord, here’s my mess. Here’s my sin. Here are the words I can’t take back. I return myself and my mistakes to you. Redeem please.”

Psalm 107:2: Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

Testify today! Tell somebody how Jesus has redeemed your life and those messy moments you said or did something you regretted. He is faithful.

Other Posts on God’s Redemption:

Redeeming Precious God-Given Time Through the Storm

Redeeming Our Time Brings a Quiet Heart

 

Andy Lee

Andy Lee is an event speaker, blogger, YouTuber, and award winning author of three books, A Mary Like Me: Flawed yet Called; The Book of Ruth Key-Word Bible Study: 31 Days to Hope and Promise,and Radiant Influence: How an ordinary girl changed the world.She passionately teaches how to find the life in God's Word in order to live abundantly. You can catch her life giving message weekly on Instagram and YouTube. She also provides monthly Bible reading plans on her website www.wordsbyandylee.com.

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