Confession is Part of Worship

Today I thought I’d mix it up a bit.  Sometimes, when we want to worship God, it seems like there is something in the way.  I’ve made up a sample prayer of confession and used it for a long time; going through this prayer helps me without fail to return to that open communication with God that I so desire. I use it to explore what kind of sins I might have committed, without realizing it, that are keeping me from being as close to God as I want to be.

I’m sharing it here with you so you can borrow all or parts of it to help you in your own walk with God.

We all struggle with different areas, so you may want to delete certain things and add the things you know you struggle with.  If you find it as helpful as I have, you might want to consider laminating it like I have.  Yep, I use it that much!  I’m putting a link up to the pdf form which is light blue with a border.

Sample prayer of confession pdf

Or you can copy and paste into a Word Document and print it plain from the following:

Sample prayer of confession

Heavenly Father, You are great and holy and wonderful.  I want to obey You always.  But I am a sinner, and apart from You I can do nothing.  I need Your help.

I have not always considered others better than myself (Phil. 2:3).  I have not always rejoiced (Phil. 4:4) or given thanks (I Thess. 5:18) like I should.  I’ve sinned against You in these and other negative attitudes.  I’ve complained (Phil. 4:11) and not been content whatever the circumstance. I’ve not always set my heart on things above (Col. 3:1), but have set it too much on earth instead, and I haven’t loved you with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). I’ve done the opposite of the following commands: “Fix your eyes (focus) on Jesus (Heb. 12:2); Take every thought captive to the authority of Christ (II Cor. 10:5); Be still, and know that I am God (Ps. 46:10); lean not on your own understanding (Prov. 3:5). And I sometimes have let the sun go down on my anger (Eph.4:26) because of my pride (Rom. 12:16). In all of these I have sinned against You, Lord.  I’m sorry.  I choose to forgive those who have offended me.  What they have done is really quite small in comparison to the huge mountain of sins I’ve committed against You in my lifetime (Matt. 18:23-25).  I’m sorry for not forgiving them right away.

And Lord, I’ve not always been gentle to everyone (Phil. 4:5) and I’ve had other fleshly reactions because of my pride and selfishness.  I’ve sought my own glory instead of  Yours (Isa. 42:8) by wanting praise and by caring more about what people think about me than what You think.  And I admit that sometimes the words that come out of my mouth are not meant to build others up (Eph. 4:29-No unwholesome talk-“That it may give grace to those who hear.”)  I’ve disrespected You by not surrendering to You daily as Lord of my life, and I’ve failed to die to self.

Also, sometimes I haven’t redeemed the time (because the days are evil.” Eph. 5:16 & Col.4:5)  And, I have not loved others with Your agape love which is “patient, kind, not boasting or proud, not rude or self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, always protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres.” (1 Cor. 13)

Please convict me of anything else that I need to confess. (PAUSE.)

I thank you for your promise that if I confess my sins, You are faithful and just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  You always keep Your promises, Lord! I believe it, and I praise You that you forgive me of all these things!  Help me today to have victory in the temptations that come my way.  Please fill me with your Holy Spirit.  I surrender all to You.

In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.