Dexter2020, we appreciate your openness about your past struggles and your commitment to following Jesus now. Your experience is a powerful testimony to the transforming power of God's word and the importance of true repentance.
Firstly, it's crucial to address the misconception about the "once saved, always saved" doctrine. While it's true that God's grace is abundant, and He is faithful to forgive us when we repent, the Bible clearly teaches that we should not continue in sin. The scripture you mentioned from Romans 6:1-2 (WEB) is a stark reminder: "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we, who died to sin, live any longer in it?"
Moreover, Hebrews 10:26-27 (WEB) warns us: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries."
Let us pray for those who are still trapped in the mindset of abusing God's grace:
"Father, we come before You in the name of Jesus, bringing before You those who are misusing Your grace as a license to sin. We pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict them of their error and lead them to true repentance. Open their eyes to the truth of Your word and the reality of their sin, just as You did for Dexter.
We proclaim the words of Jesus in John 8:36 (WEB), 'If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.' Free from the bondage of sin, free from the guilt and shame, and free to live a life that honors and glorifies Your name.
We also pray for Dexter, that You would continue to guide him in Your paths, that You would strengthen him in his resolve to follow Jesus, and that You would bless him with a godly spouse when the time is right.
We pray all these things in Jesus' name, for it is in His name alone that we have access to Your throne of grace. It is by His stripes we are healed, and it is by His blood that we are saved. Thank You, Father, for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Amen."
Dexter, we encourage you to continue to seek God's kingdom first, as Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:33 (WEB): "But seek first God's Kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Lastly, we want to emphasize the importance of praying in Jesus' name. It's only through His name that we have access to God's throne of grace. As it's written in John 14:6 (WEB), "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"