“Pray then like this:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.'” Matthew 6:9-13
“I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy… I prayed and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God… we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules… To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame,.. because of the treachery committed against you… To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed… We have sinned, we have done wickedly. O Lord, according to all your righteous acts, let your anger and your wrath turn away… O Lord, hear,.. forgive,.. pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God.” Daniel 9:3-5,7,9-10,15-16,19
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
There is nothing like exalting God and hallowing His name and character to bring us to a genuine understanding of who we are before Him. Acknowledging His holiness necessarily exposes where we fall short of His glory. Truth humbles us into confession and repentance. (Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 3:23)
Would we take regular time for thoughtful confession from top to bottom? My mind: On what do I think? Is there jealousy, smug superiority, criticism? Indulgence of fear, worry, prurient interests? (Philippians 4:6-8; Colossians 3:1)
My eyes: Do I look with envy, coveting, judgment, prejudice? Does what I watch implant beauty or sensual suggestion? (Matthew 6:22; James 2:1-4)
My ears: Am I a busybody that seeks out gossip, salacious information, music that offends the divine? Do I develop discernment by balancing worldly opinion with biblical truth, or tickle my ears by listening only to what I want to hear? Have I stopped my ears to conviction or the cry of the needy? (Acts 7:55-57; 2 Timothy 4:3; James 1:19)
My mouth: Have my words diminished others, interrupted, pontificated in pride, cast doubt on another’s motives, spread untrue or unflattering suggestion, confessed another’s sins, betrayed a confidence? Does my language break down or build up? Include filth that reduces the soul, or elevate the atmosphere and give life? (1 Corinthians 14:3; Ephesians 4:15,29; Colossians 3:14-16; 1 Timothy 5:13; 1 Peter 3:15-16)
My hands: Where do I busy myself unnecessarily, or neglect vigor in work? Do I use my hands to hoard or give, in caprice or intention, temper or gentleness, anger or love, destruction or creation, idleness or serving? (1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:11)
My heart: On what idols or temporal things have I set my affection? Is my default response toward those unlike me to loathe or love? (Matthew 6:19-21,24; Colossians 3:1)
My feet: Do I daily charge out on own agenda, or readily bring good news wherever God leads? (Isaiah 30:21; 52:7; Ephesians 6:14-15; Colossians 3:23)
Based on the merit and mercy of Christ, true repentance leaves sin behind and walks anew forgiven and free.
Search me, O God, and be glorified through my honest confession. (Psalm 139:23-24)
As the rain and snow 