Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover up my guilt. I said, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Dear Heavenly Father,
When you call out our sin, it is not something we happen to do on the spur of the moment; you call it our rebellion. A conscious decision to do what we have done, said, or thought.
Lord, You know all the things we have done: all our thoughts that come from our discontentment and pride, the words said in anger and hate, and the actions that have been done without love towards those around us. We confess all the sins we can remember and those we have forgiven. Please forgive us all our sins and take away all our iniquities.
You have promised when we bring everything we have done before you—even what we don’t remember—You forgive our sins for Jesus’ sake. Jesus took the world’s sins into himself and suffered the punishment that was for us. So that all our sins have been forgiven and all the guilt and shame associated with every sin removed.
Your Spirit comes to all with the gift of faith through Your word and sacraments; may we not reject it. Faith in Jesus restores us to You. There, we confidently know our sins are removed. We have been reunited with You by faith in Him, making us Your children, and You are our heavenly Father.
Acknowledging our sins is troubling, especially when dealing with our guilt and shame, but when we do, we have the promise of Your forgiveness. So we ask in faith, knowing You love us and have mercy on us so we never receive the punishment we deserve because Jesus received it in our place.
Please allow us to share Jesus’ forgiveness with those around us who struggle with guilt and shame. So that they, too, will know Your love and mercy for them. We pray for them that faith will begin in them and that they will also be saved and be Your children in Your heavenly kingdom for all eternity. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God is ready, waiting, and standing by with his forgiveness for you. Trust in him and ask for His forgiveness, then know Jesus has already forgiven all Your iniquities by His Holy life and innocent death on the cross. You are forgiven!