CONFESSING OUR SINS
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Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:23-26
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other …
James 5:16
At a seminar for ministers in Colorado, we were asked to tell the person standing across from us one of our most intimate experiences or to confess a sin in our lives that we had never yet confessed. The person standing across from me was a professor from the seminary I had attended just a few years earlier. He looked at me and said, “I don’t want to tell you, and you don’t want to tell me.” Some time later when we discussed that experience, he said wisely, “Some things were never meant to be disclosed in public because they are too personal to be shared with anyone else.”
When James urges us to confess our sins to one another, he is not saying we should tell all in front of everyone. But the truth remains that confession is good for the soul. Of course we have to confess our sins before God and ask for his forgiveness. Unconfessed sin creates a barrier between us and God (see Psalm 32).
But James also recognizes the power of confession within the Christian community. Believers need to make things right with those they have offended. And often the weight of our guilt is eased when we share our burden with a trustworthy friend or spiritual counselor. The power of their prayers and their words of assurance offered in Christ’s name can help to quiet our restless, guilt-ridden souls.
Prayer
Lord, help us to see how we have hurt one another and that we need to reconciled. Lead us also to confess our sins to you, and help us to live faithfully for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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Father God, we confess our sins to you and ask for forgiveness for our trespasses. If I have wronged my brother or my sister I ask their forgiveness. I am sorry for any wrong that I committed that may have displeased you. AMEN.
dear Jesus, please forgive us for those things that are not of you. you know what they are.like having ungodly attitudes, false accusations,etc.may we forgive just like you have forgiving us. IN JESUS’MIGHTYNAME AMEN!