Heavenly Father,
I come before You in humility and repentance, confessing all of my sins. I have sinned against You in my thoughts, words, and actions. I have not loved You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Moreover, I have not loved my neighbor as myself.
I have disobeyed Your commands and turned away from Your will for my life. I have taken Your grace for granted and have not lived a life of gratitude and thankfulness. I have been selfish and self-centered, and have not put Your kingdom and Your righteousness first.
I confess my pride, anger, envy, and covetousness. I have been unfaithful in my relationships and have broken the trust of those around me. I have been judgmental and critical of others, and have not shown the love and compassion that You have called me to show.
I am truly sorry for all of my sins, and I humbly ask for Your forgiveness. I know that Your love and grace are sufficient for me, and I trust in Your mercy and Your power to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You, and to walk in Your ways. Fill me with Your Spirit, and give me the strength and wisdom to resist temptation and to overcome sin.
I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
Suggested Bible Readings
1 John 1:9 ESV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 51:1-2 ESV
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
Isaiah 1:18 ESV
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
James 4:8-10 ESV
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
1 John 2:1-2 ESV
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Psalm 103:12 ESV
As far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
Must-Read Christian Books
Knowing God
A classic that helps believers move from knowing about God to truly knowing Him in a personal and biblical way.
View on Amazon
The Cost of Discipleship
A penetrating look at Jesus' call to follow Him, contrasting cheap grace with true, costly discipleship.
View on Amazon
Chosen by God
A clear, pastoral explanation of biblical election and God's sovereignty in salvation.
View on Amazon
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
Shows how God's sovereignty in salvation fuels, rather than hinders, faithful evangelism.
View on Amazon
The Reason for God
Thoughtful, biblical responses to common objections to Christianity, aimed at skeptics and believers alike.
View on Amazon
Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God
A robust, Scripture-saturated theology of prayer with practical guidance for deepening communion with God.
View on Amazon
Communion with God
Explores how believers enjoy distinct fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
View on Amazon
Just Do Something
A wise, biblical approach to knowing God's will without paralysis or mysticism.
View on Amazon
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Summarizes key doctrines of Scripture in concise questions and answers.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Preaching
A standard textbook on preaching that shows how to proclaim Christ from all of Scripture.
View on Amazon
Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
View on Amazon
God's Glory in Salvation through Judgment
Argues that God's glory in salvation through judgment is the central theme of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism
Encourages and equips Christians to share the gospel faithfully and simply.
View on Amazon
Counterfeit Gods
Exposes modern idols of the heart and points to Christ as our true treasure.
View on Amazon
This Momentary Marriage
Shows how marriage is designed to display the covenant love of Christ and His church.
View on Amazon