35 Powerful Catholic Prayers Before and After Confession
This guide offers heartfelt prayers for confession, including before and after confession prayers, with examples and Catholic wording.
Confession can feel hard sometimes, but it’s one of the most important steps in reconnecting with God. It allows you to let go of the guilt, speak the truth, and return to God’s mercy.
These prayers for confession will help you talk to God with honesty and peace. Whether you’re preparing for confession, speaking during it, or praying afterward, each prayer shared here brings you closer to God’s love and forgiveness.
What Does the Bible Say About Confession?
The Bible teaches that confessing our sins brings healing and forgiveness. In 1 John 1:9, it says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This means we don’t have to be afraid to come to God. He’s always ready to listen and forgive when we speak to Him with a humble heart. In Proverbs 28:13, the Bible adds, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
From the Old Testament to the New Testament, confession has always been a way to renew our hearts. It helps us take responsibility, seek change, and build a deeper relationship with our Creator.
35 Prayers for Confession
Simple Prayer of Confession for Forgiveness
Merciful God, I confess my sins before You, acknowledging my failures and shortcomings. I have strayed from Your path, choosing my desires over Your will. Forgive me, Lord, for my thoughts and actions that displease You. Your word in Psalm 32:5 assures me that when I confess, You forgive. Cleanse my heart and renew my spirit. Grant me Your grace to walk in righteousness, trusting in Your endless mercy. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Amen.
Short Prayer of Confession for Daily Repentance
Gracious Father, each day I fall short of Your glory, stumbling in word and deed. I confess my sins, seeking Your mercy for my selfish choices and unkind thoughts. Romans 3:23 reminds me all have sinned, yet Your forgiveness is near. Wash me clean, Lord, and guide my steps toward holiness. Help me turn from temptation and embrace Your truth. May Your Spirit strengthen me to live faithfully, repenting daily with a humble heart. Amen.
Powerful Prayer of Confession for Cleansing from Sin
Holy God, I come before You burdened by sin, confessing my rebellion against Your commands. My heart has wandered, chasing fleeting pleasures over Your eternal truth. Purify me, as 1 John 1:7 promises, through the blood of Jesus. Remove every stain of guilt and shame. Empower me to resist evil and pursue righteousness. Let Your Spirit renew my soul, making me whole in Your sight. I trust in Your grace for complete cleansing. Amen.
Traditional Prayer of Confession from the Book of Common Prayer
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, I confess I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. I have not loved You fully nor my neighbor as myself. As Isaiah 55:7 calls, I turn from my wicked ways to seek Your mercy. Forgive my failures and restore me. Grant me grace to live according to Your will, pleasing You in all things. For Your Son’s sake, have pity on me. Amen.
Anglican Prayer of Confession for Personal Repentance
Most merciful God, I humbly confess my sins, grieving for the ways I’ve failed You. My actions and thoughts have not honored Your name. I seek Your forgiveness, trusting in Lamentations 3:22-23, where Your mercies are new every morning. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and renew my heart. Guide me by Your Spirit to walk in obedience, loving You and others faithfully. Thank You for Your grace that restores my soul. Amen.
Catholic Prayer of Confession before Mass
Lord Jesus, I confess my sins as I prepare to receive You in the Eucharist. I have fallen short, yielding to temptation and neglecting Your call to holiness. Forgive me, as Matthew 9:13 declares You came to call sinners. Cleanse my heart, making me worthy to partake in this sacred mystery. Strengthen me to live for Your glory, united with Your Church. May Your mercy prepare me for this holy sacrifice. Amen.
Sacrament of Reconciliation Prayer of Confession
Merciful Father, I confess my sins in the sacrament of reconciliation, seeking Your forgiveness. I have strayed through selfish acts and harmful words, failing to reflect Your love. Acts 3:19 urges me to repent for refreshment in Your presence. Cleanse me, Lord, and heal my soul. Grant me grace to amend my life, living in harmony with Your will. Thank You for Your mercy that restores me to Your heart. Amen.
Orthodox Prayer of Confession for Spiritual Renewal
O God of compassion, I confess my sins, acknowledging my unworthiness before Your holiness. My heart has been divided, chasing worldly desires over Your kingdom. Renew me, as Ezekiel 36:26 promises a new heart and spirit. Cleanse me from all defilement and restore my soul. Guide me in Your truth, that I may walk in righteousness, glorifying You. Grant me Your grace for spiritual renewal and eternal life. Amen.
Presbyterian Prayer of Confession for Sunday Service
Gracious God, we confess our sins as Your people, gathered in worship. We have failed to live as Your disciples, choosing pride over humility and apathy over love. Forgive us, as Micah 7:18 declares You delight in showing mercy. Cleanse our hearts and renew our commitment to Your ways. Empower us by Your Spirit to serve You faithfully, reflecting Your grace to the world. We trust in Your forgiveness. Amen.
Methodist Prayer of Confession and Pardon
Holy God, I confess my sins, grieving for the ways I’ve hurt You and others. My words and deeds have not always shown Your love. I seek Your pardon, trusting in Titus 3:5 that You save us by Your mercy. Wash me clean and renew my spirit. Help me live in holiness, serving others with compassion. Thank You for Your grace that restores and empowers me. Amen.
Short Prayers for Confession
These short prayers help when you’re in a rush or need words to say in a quiet moment.
1.
Heavenly Father, I admit my wrongdoings and sins before You today. I’ve failed in my thoughts, words, and actions. Please forgive me and help me walk in Your truth. I ask You to clean my heart and renew my spirit. I trust in Your mercy, Lord. Amen.
(Psalm 51:10)
2.
Lord, I’ve sinned and I’m sorry. I know I need Your forgiveness. Thank You for sending Jesus to take away my sin. Please help me to turn away from what is wrong and live the way You want me to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
(Romans 3:23–24)
3.
God, I messed up. I hurt You and maybe others too. Please forgive me. I want to do better and follow You closely. Show me how to make things right and give me peace in my heart again. Amen.
(Isaiah 1:18)
4.
Dear Lord, I confess that I have not obeyed You. I know Your ways are right, but I chose mine. Please cleanse me from all my sins. Help me walk in Your grace starting now. Amen.
(1 John 1:7)
5.
Father, I come to You broken. I admit my failures and sins. I need Your mercy and strength to change. Wash me clean and remind me of Your love every day. Amen.
(Psalm 32:5)
Catholic Prayer for Confession and Forgiveness
In Catholic tradition, confession is also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It’s a sacred time when a person speaks their sins before a priest and receives God’s forgiveness. This isn’t only about saying what you did wrong—it’s about turning your heart back to God.
Here’s a Catholic confession prayer that can guide your heart when you feel lost or unsure what to say:
Prayer:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You. I detest all my sins because I fear the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell. But most of all, because they offend You, my God, who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen.
(This is known as the Act of Contrition.)
This prayer teaches us not only to feel bad about sin, but also to feel sorry because we love God and want to honor Him. It helps shape your heart to desire change, not only out of fear, but because of love.
How to Pray After Confession for Spiritual Renewal
Once you’ve confessed, it’s important to take a moment to pray again. After confession, your soul is made new, but your heart still needs God’s help to keep growing. A post-confession prayer is a way to thank God and ask Him to guide you forward.
Think of this time as a chance to reflect. You’ve opened your heart and let out what was heavy—now fill it with truth and strength.
Prayer 1:
Lord, thank You for forgiving me. I feel lighter and closer to You now that I’ve laid my sins before You. Your mercy has washed me clean, and I no longer carry the weight of guilt. As Your Word says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” I believe You’ve made me new today.
Help me live this new beginning with courage and faith, even when temptations come back. I know I’ll still stumble sometimes, but I ask You to keep guiding me. Teach me to rely on Your strength and not on my own efforts. Keep my heart open to Your voice and steady my steps on the path You’ve set for me.
Remind me each day that Your mercy is bigger than my failures, that nothing can separate me from Your love. Let this forgiveness change not only my heart but my actions. I place my future in Your hands, knowing that You are good and faithful. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Prayer 2:
Dear Jesus, I know You paid the price for my sins, and I can never thank You enough for that. Today, through confession, You’ve covered me in grace. You saw everything I did wrong, yet You still reached out to love me. As You said in John 8:11, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on sin no more.” I receive that mercy with a grateful heart.
Please help me not fall into the same sin again. I’m weak, and I need Your strength every single day. When I’m tempted, remind me of Your truth and help me choose what is right. Fill my heart with a desire for holiness that’s stronger than my old habits.
Walk with me each day so I can live fully for You. Let my life reflect the freedom You’ve given me, not shame or fear. I pray that every step forward would be grounded in Your love and led by Your Spirit. Amen.
Prayer Before Confession to Prepare Your Heart
Before you walk into confession, take a moment to settle your heart. A short prayer before confession helps you open up honestly, without fear. God already knows everything, but He waits for you to come willingly.
Preparing with prayer helps you reflect on your actions. It also gives you the strength to speak honestly and receive God’s mercy with faith.
Prayer 1:
Lord, I want to tell the truth about my life, even the parts that make me feel ashamed. You already know everything, yet You still wait for me to speak to You. In Psalm 139:23-24, David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart… see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” I make that same prayer now.
Please help me see my sins clearly and confess them with honesty. Don’t let me hide behind excuses or fear. Give me courage to face what I’ve done and a humble heart to admit it. I trust in Your love and Your desire to heal me, not punish me.
Help me prepare my soul so that my confession is real and open. I need You to break through the noise in my mind and help me hear Your voice. Fill me with peace as I go into this moment of truth with You. Amen.
Prayer 2:
Heavenly Father, I ask for Your help today. I feel nervous about confession. My heart is full of things I don’t know how to explain. Please calm my heart and guide my thoughts. In James 5:16, Your Word reminds me, “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” I believe that healing starts when I speak honestly.
Show me where I’ve gone wrong, not just in my actions but in my heart too. Help me take responsibility and not blame anyone else. Remind me that Your mercy is endless, even when my sins feel too big. Help me to confess not because I’m afraid of punishment, but because I want to grow in love and truth.
Stay with me in this moment, Lord. I don’t want to hold anything back from You. Create a clean heart in me and renew my spirit. Amen.
“Forgive Me, Father”: A Confession Prayer for True Repentance
When you say the words “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned,” it’s more than tradition—it’s a deep act of faith. You admit that you’re not perfect, but that you want to be better. This prayer comes from a place of real repentance, not fake guilt.
True repentance means you’re sorry and want to change. You don’t only feel bad—you want to start again. And God is always ready to help you begin.
Prayer:
Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. I confess with a sorrowful heart the wrong I’ve done—every selfish choice, every angry word, every moment I turned away from You. You know my weaknesses, yet You never stop loving me. In Luke 15:21-24, the prodigal son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,” and You ran to meet him with open arms. I know You welcome me the same way.
Please wash me clean with Your mercy. I want to leave these sins behind for good. I know I can’t do it on my own, so I ask for Your strength. Lead me back to Your path when I wander, and fill my heart with the desire to follow You no matter what it costs.
Give me strength to live rightly. Let my thoughts be pure, my actions be kind, and my words speak life. I want to honor You from this moment on—not just with promises, but with change. Thank You for loving me even when I fall. I trust in You, my Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
This kind of prayer makes your confession more than a ritual—it becomes personal, deep, and real.
Traditional and English Confession Prayers You Can Say
Sometimes, we need familiar and trusted words to help us pray. Traditional prayers have been passed down for generations. They help guide your thoughts when you’re unsure of what to say.
Here are two prayers in plain English you can say anytime you want to confess your sins:
Traditional Confession Prayer (English):
O Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. I’ve done what is wrong in Your sight and fallen short of Your glory. I don’t want to hide my sin anymore. Like the tax collector in Luke 18:13 who said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner,” I bow before You now with a humble heart.
I confess all the wrong I have done and ask for Your forgiveness. You are holy and just, and I know that I need Your grace to change. Wash me in the blood of Jesus, and help me to walk in the light, not in darkness. Keep me close to You and far from temptation.
Help me walk in Your light, and never let me go astray again. When I am weak, remind me of Your promises. When I feel lost, shine Your truth on my path. I want to live for You alone, Lord. Amen.
Prayer of Sorrow (Catholic):
Dear God, I am sorry for my sins. I have gone against Your Word and hurt others by my choices. I know they hurt You too, and that breaks my heart. In Psalm 51:1-2, David said, “Have mercy on me, O God… wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” That is my prayer too.
I want to do better and ask for Your help to live a good life. I know I can’t change myself without Your Spirit guiding me. Please forgive me and give me peace. Let Your love heal the broken parts of me and renew my heart with Your goodness.
Show me how to live in Your will day by day. Help me grow into the person You’ve created me to be. Let my life honor You from this day forward. Amen.
These prayers remind you that forgiveness is always possible, no matter how far you’ve strayed.
Real Examples of Sins to Say at Confession and Prayers That Help
Sometimes, people struggle with what to say during confession. They ask, “What kinds of sins should I confess?” Start with what you remember, what’s been weighing on your heart, or anything you know goes against God’s will.
Here are a few examples of sins to mention in confession:
- Lying or dishonesty
- Disrespecting parents or authority
- Gossip or speaking badly about others
- Impure thoughts or actions
- Skipping prayer or Mass (for Catholics)
- Holding grudges or refusing to forgive
- Using God’s name carelessly
And here’s a simple prayer to go with your confession:
Lord, I have sinned in my words and actions. I have not loved others the way You call me to. Please forgive me for each wrong I’ve done, even the ones I’ve forgotten. Give me strength to stay away from temptation and live in Your truth. Amen.
(Hebrews 4:16)
Saying your sins out loud helps release the guilt. But more than that, it brings peace when you accept God’s forgiveness and take steps to grow.
Final Thoughts
By using these prayers for confession in your daily life or during sacramental confession, you will start to feel lighter, closer to God, and more in tune with His will. Keep coming back to Him through prayer—again and again.
