1 John 1: 8-9
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Sin is the problem, and everyone is guilty. No one around us somehow escapes it; we know this because you tell us the wages of sin is death. For someone to say this person or that person cannot have sin for some reason, John—through the power of the Holy Spirit—wrote that the truth is not in them. But we are not alone in this battle against sin. When we acknowledge our sins, the truth is in us, and this can only be done by faith alone. What is faith? Trusting in what we cannot see. As believers, we trust Jesus and in his life-saving work. Knowing we are sinners and that he suffered and died on the cross to forgive us of all our sins. You made faith possible by sending us your Holy Spirit, so we believe in your Son.
Jesus went to the cross as an innocent man but took the world’s punishment into himself. He endured your wrath and punishment for all our sins and then suffered death for us. Why? Because you loved us who were unlovable and so that when we confess our sins, they are removed. You give us, in your word, the assurance of complete forgiveness for all our unrighteousness—all for Jesus’ sake. All this you did for us out of your mercy and compassion on us sinful beings. We pray with boldness and confidence; we bring all our sins before you, that for Jesus’ sake, they are forgiven, and so through faith, we are confident not only in forgiveness but also in our salvation. Let us not keep our forgiveness to ourselves but share it with those near us who do not know about your love and mercy so that they, too, will believe. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God already knows your every sin, and you are not hiding anything from him. He is ready and waiting to forgive you so that you will have eternal life.