A Prayer for Forgiveness and Guidance in our Covetous Ways
"For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart." - Isaiah 57:17
O Lord, our God, we humbly come before Thee, acknowledging Thy greatness and Thy sovereignty over all. You are the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and in Your wisdom, You have established the paths of righteousness. For it is written in Isaiah 57:17 (KJV), "For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart."
Heavenly Father, as we reflect on these words, we recognize the seriousness of covetousness in our lives. We confess that at times we have let desire and greed take root in our hearts, skewing our perspective and drawing us away from the abundance of grace and provision You have made for us. We acknowledge that in our longing for worldly possessions, status, or desires—those things that we think may bring us happiness—we often lose sight of You, our true source of joy and fulfillment.
Lord, forgive us for our iniquities. We confess to You our covetousness, our desire for that which is not ours, and our dissatisfaction with the blessings You have graciously bestowed upon us. We acknowledge that those covetous desires can lead us into a froward path, a path of rebellion against Your will. We do not wish to be smote by Your wrath, so we humbly beseech You to soften our hearts and guide us back to Your path of righteousness.
Father, we often go astray, caught in the traps of the world, ignoring the gentle whispers of Your Spirit. We have at times preferred the deceitful promises of this world over the eternal truths of Your Word. Shine Your light upon our hearts, O God, that we may see the futility of our pursuits and the beauty of Your grace. Help us to recognize that real contentment is found not in material gain, but in the richness of relationship with You.
Lord, fortify our hearts against the allure of covetousness. Deliver us from the insatiable desire for more—more things, more recognition, more security. Let us find our satisfaction in You alone. Teach us that true wealth is not found in possessions, but in living a life of obedience, generosity, and love for others, as Jesus taught us. May the fruits of Your Spirit dwell within us, that we may extend generosity rather than greed.
O Lord, as we seek Your face, guide our steps in the way everlasting. Lead us away from the darkness of frowardness and illuminate our hearts with Your truth. May we not wander in the wilderness of our own desires but stand firm in the faith that You are sufficient for all our needs. May we learn to look upon You for our provision, knowing that You are a good Father who knows how to give good gifts to His children.
We pray for an awakening within our spirits. Open our eyes to see the beauty of simplicity, the joy of sharing, and the richness of community. Teach us to view our brothers and sisters not with envy but with love. Help us to rejoice in their successes and to share our blessings freely, recognizing that every good gift comes from You.
As we meditate on the lessons of covetousness, seal Your teachings within us, O Lord. May we walk not in the ways of our own hearts but in the path You have ordained for us. For we know that in seeking first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, all these things shall be added unto us.
We thank You, Lord, for Your endless mercy. We thank You for Your love that covers a multitude of sins. In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
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Isaiah 57:17 - "For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart."
"For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart." - Isaiah 57:17
Isaiah 57:1-2
Isaiah 57:21 - "There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
Isaiah 57:12 - "I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee."
Isaiah 57:3 - "¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore."
Isaiah 57:20 - "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."
"There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." - Isaiah 57:21
Isaiah 57:2 - "He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness."
Isaiah 57:5 - "Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?"
Isaiah 57:19 - "I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him."
Isaiah 57:14 - "And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people."
Isaiah 57:7 - "Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice."
Isaiah 57:20-21 - "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked."
Isaiah 57:16 - "For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made."
Isaiah 57:1 - "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come."
Isaiah 57:18 - "I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners."
Isaiah 57:9 - "And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell."
Isaiah 57:10 - "Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved."
1 Samuel 17:57 - "And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand."
Isaiah 57:4 - "Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,"
"I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee." - Isaiah 57:12
"¶ But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore." - Isaiah 57:3
Isaiah 57:11 - "And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not?"
Isaiah 57:6 - "Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these?"
Isaiah 57:15 - "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
Isaiah 57:1-2 - "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous are taken away from calamity, they enter into peace; those who walk uprightly will rest on their beds."
Isaiah 57:18-19 - "I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”"
"He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness." - Isaiah 57:2
Isaiah 57:8 - "Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it."