Prayer of Confession
By Babett Horn, IWM Teacher and Prayer Leader
Scripture Foundations
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse highlights God’s promise of forgiveness when we confess our sins sincerely.
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
This emphasizes the communal aspect of confession and the healing that can come from it.
Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
This verse encourages honesty about our shortcomings and the mercy that follows confession.
Psalm 32:5
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
This reflects the personal relationship with God in the act of confession.
Luke 15:10
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
This verse illustrates the joy in heaven when a sinner repents and confesses.
St Teresa of Avila
She is remembered for her writings and for transforming the way Christians understand prayer, the soul and union with God.
At the age of 20, Teresa joined the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation in Ávila. She was initially excited about her vocation but became disillusioned when she saw how lax the spiritual discipline had become among the nuns. Social visitors frequently came to the convent, and personal prayer and meditation were often neglected, which greatly concerned Teresa.
She is quoted in her writings as saying:
“There is no soul however advanced in prayer that is secure from falling. We must never relax our vigilance, nor neglect confession.”
The Way of Perfection chapter 41
What Benefits Do We Receive from the Prayer of Confession?
The most obvious one being, forgiveness of sin.
Often we only think of confession in a certain constructed way. We testify that we confessed our sins at our conversion or our acceptance of Jesus. Then, we don’t think of it, ever.
In the 1500’s when the church was in it’s Reformation Era, confession in Protestant circles became synonymous with Roman Catholic Religion. That being so, the practice of and teaching of confession was left off. It seems in most protestant churches, this is still not an important teaching. However, now that we are looking at this with intentionality, we can make that change in our own practice of spiritual formation.
What Other Benefits Could the Practice of Confession Bring Us?
When it says to confess your sins one to another, does that terrify you? Are you comfortable sharing your sins?
Obviously to be comfortable with this we must first have to build a community of believers wherewith we can gift them this level of trust. To have kinship of this depth is truly a blessing to our wellbeing.
Mental or Emotional Benefits to Sharing Our Sins with One Another
Sharing our sins with one another can have significant mental and emotional benefits. It allows individuals to acknowledge their shortcomings, which can facilitate healing and personal growth.
By confessing our sins to one another, we create an atmosphere of trust and understanding, thereby enhancing our relationships.
Emotional Release: Sharing burdens can alleviate stress and anxiety.
Strengthening Relationships: Opens lines of communication and builds trust.
Personal Growth: Encourages accountability and self-improvement.
Community Support: Creates a sense of belonging among peers.
Wow! How incredible is that? We gain mental and emotional benefits from being vulnerable and authentic with those in our community through confession.
Is There a Difference in Confessing to One Another and the Prayer of Confession?
There is.
Confessing to one another is beneficial to show us where our shortcomings are and to explore how we can overcome those issues. Those we trust enough to confess to can shed light on those areas and make recommendations.
The prayer of confession however is a time of reflection within our daily practice to allow for the holy spirit to reveal areas of sin that need forgiveness. This act allows for humility and acceptance that gives inner peace.
This prayer isn’t to be entered into with the idea of checking a spiritual to-do off our daily list. It is meant to be a yielding, quiet and contemplative time of introspection.
A Biblical Model for the Prayer of Confession
King David gives us a beautiful model of a prayer of confession along with a map of what to be aware of as we pray.
Psalm 51:1–2
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from sin.
- Appeal to God’s mercy not your merit
- Acknowledge sin openly
- Ask for cleansing and renewal
- Realize only God can give us strength to overcome sin
The process here lends itself to being still and willing to allow time to center our
thoughts and imagination upon God, to hear the holy spirit and then to tell God
what our sins are.
If you are not accustomed to the practice of the prayer of confession use a
Biblical model such the prayers of David in the Psalms. Otherwise, use your own
words that come from the truth of your heart. There’s no right or wrong words, but
reflection and truth are necessary as is receiving the forgiveness and cleansing
that God offers us with open hands.
