Lent is about repentance. We focus on our sins. We don’t do it to learn what sins we’re good at so we can practice them more, like a basketball team has to practice free throws. We do it so we’ll be sorry for them and desire to be better and even work to do better.

This is something you can’t do yourself. “Increase our faith,” the disciples cried. It’s hard to admit “I’m a sinner. I sinned against my friend or sibling or teacher today.” It’s hard to say “I’m sorry” to them too. Sin doesn’t want to go away. It doesn’t want to be confessed. It doesn’t want us to be sorry. It wants us to do it and love it, to be stubborn in it and never let anybody point out our wrongs or say we made a mistake. We are by nature sin, so of course we’re going to do the wrong thing. When we say “I’m sorry,” it’s more likely because mom or teacher made me do it than because I actually wanted to do it.

Lord, increase our faith. Help us confess our sins, to be truly sorry for our bad behavior. Help us desire to do what is good, to do our duty as students, teachers, children. For You died for my sins and the sins of all people of all time on The Cross. You were punished for every one of them. Your Father accepted this. We know this because You rose from the dead. He declares that we are not to be punished anymore for them. He loves us. You love us. Help us show your love to others. Help us forgive them and do what’s right, for Your sake. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.