Most of us find it very difficult to share the innermost secrets of our hearts with anyone. We want to keep our secret failings, worst embarrassments, and hidden sins unknown to those who know us. We fear that others might reject us if they know. We worry that we could disgrace ourselves and our families if anyone knew the secret sludge in our hearts. The truth is pretty clear, however: Hidden sin is only hidden from us. It is not hidden from our Father. Hidden sin festers in our hearts and drives a wedge between us and the God who would forgive us and empower us to triumph over it. Sooner or later, the sins we have tried to keep hidden rise to the surface and become known. If only we would pour out our hearts to God, asking for his forgiveness and cleansing (
1 John 1:8-9). When we pour our hearts out to our Father in heaven, we no longer fear him. Instead, he becomes our refuge and source of acceptance and strength!
Loving Father and Holy God, today I want to confess to you several things on my heart. Father, I am afraid for others to know that I have...(confess your most secret and shameful sins to God). Holy God, I have sinned and ask your forgiveness and cleansing for...(confess those sins that others may not see as all that important, but that Satan uses to diminish your allegiance to God.) Eternal Lord, I get anxious about sharing certain things with you even though I know you know me inside and out...(confess those things that make you worry and place them in God's hands). You alone are my refuge and strength. I trust these confessions to you and ask that you strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit so that I do not fall into these same traps again and again. In Jesus' name, I confess and pray. Amen.
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