Father, forgive us our sins

(MP4) Recording

What do you think of when you hear the word, "confession"? How does it make you feel? 
Prayer has these parts of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. And we focus on Confession this time.

Why is confession so important? (Psalm 32:5; 38:18; James 1:5; 1 John 1:9; Rom. 8:2)
Confession has to do with forgiveness, remorse, repentance, healing, cleaning from sins, freedom from the power of sin, and requires humility. 
Spiritual life is about getting in sync with the flow of the Holy Spirit in us. We may often block that source of life by refusing to confess in our powerlessness. 

Overcoming our resistance to confession (and to repentance):
Reading the Bible has been a traditional approach in Christian life experiences. Prayer, in a sincere and humble heart, is also personally the key to breakthrough. 
A helpful prayer: "Lord, help me to see whatever I need to see. Give me courage to face the truth. Then give me wisdom and strength to act on whatever you reveal." 
This prayer helps us more move from our dark situation toward the light of God's presence. Imagine the time when Jesus said, "One of you is going to betray me," and put yourself in the shoes of Judas who, along with the other disciples, said to Jesus, "Surely, not I, Lord?" (Matt. 26) The truth is the only hope that can soften our hardened heart.
We have a powerful biblical example of David confronted by Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-7a), in which King David could sin against God by committing adultery and murder and yet failed to demand the same justice that he would from someone else. We can easily get so right and demand justice for someone's sin. Do we also get the same serious and demand the same just reaction about our own sins?
The biblical admonition is - "Do not harden your hearts!" under any circumstance (Hebrews 4:6-7). Or else, it leads only to spiritual death. 

Responding seriously to our sin, in our lives on an ongoing basis:
David left a great example for us: "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:13). His is a model generic prayer of confession, coupled with his confirmation of faith and hope in God (Psalm 51). God is waiting for you, calling you. He is still the source of joy and hope.

Create your own prayer, with confession of sin and faith. 
How is the Holy Spirit calling you to repent and confess your sin today? 
Jot down a few things you want to include in your daily prayer of confession? It will help to keep your heart soft before God.
"Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your name." (Psalm 119:132)


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