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
Lutheran Prayer of Confession for Repentance
Almighty God, I confess my sins, acknowledging my rebellion against Your holy will. I have sinned in thought, word, and action, straying from Your path. As Luke 15:7 rejoices over repentant sinners, forgive me, Lord. Cleanse me through Christ’s sacrifice and renew my heart. Guide me by Your Spirit to live faithfully, reflecting Your love. Grant me strength to turn from sin and embrace Your grace daily. Amen.
Baptist Prayer of Confession for Personal Sins
Heavenly Father, I confess my personal sins, grieving for my disobedience. I have chosen my way over Yours, falling into temptation and pride. Forgive me, as Ephesians 1:7 assures redemption through Christ’s blood. Cleanse my heart and restore my fellowship with You. Empower me to walk in righteousness, resisting evil by Your Spirit. Thank You for Your mercy that never fails, drawing me back to You. Amen.
Non-denominational Prayer of Confession for Healing
Loving God, I confess my sins, seeking Your healing for my broken soul. I have wandered from Your truth, hurting myself and others. As James 5:16 encourages confession for healing, cleanse me, Lord. Restore my heart and renew my spirit. Fill me with Your peace, guiding me to live in Your light. Thank You for Your grace that mends and makes me whole. Amen.
Prayer of Confession with Bible Verses for Repentance
Merciful Lord, I confess my sins, turning from my wicked ways. I have failed to obey Your commands, choosing selfishness over love. As 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls for repentance, forgive me, Father. Cleanse my heart and renew my mind. Guide me by Your Spirit to walk in holiness, honoring You in all I do. Thank You for Your mercy that restores and redeems me. Amen.
Psalm 51 Prayer of Confession for Cleansing
Gracious God, I confess my sins, pleading for Your mercy. Like David in Psalm 51:2, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. I have strayed, yielding to temptation and pride. Cleanse my heart and renew my spirit. Restore the joy of Your salvation, guiding me in Your truth. Empower me to live for Your glory, trusting in Your unfailing love and forgiveness. Amen.
Prodigal Son Prayer of Confession for Returning to God
Father, like the prodigal son, I confess my sins, returning to You. I have wandered, squandering Your blessings in rebellion. As Luke 15:18 shows, I say, “I have sinned against You.” Welcome me back, Lord, with Your mercy. Cleanse my heart and renew my spirit. Guide me to live faithfully, honoring Your love. Thank You for Your grace that restores me to Your embrace. Amen.
1 John 1:9 Prayer of Confession for Forgiveness
Faithful God, I confess my sins, trusting in Your promise. As 1 John 1:9 assures, You forgive and cleanse those who confess. I have failed You in thought and deed, straying from Your path. Purify my heart, Lord, and renew my spirit. Guide me to walk in Your truth, reflecting Your love. Thank You for Your mercy that never fails, restoring me to You. Amen.
Nehemiah 9 Prayer of Confession for National Repentance
Almighty God, we confess our nation’s sins, grieving for our collective rebellion. Like Nehemiah 9:33, we acknowledge Your justice in our troubles. We have turned from Your commands, chasing idols and pride. Forgive us, Lord, and renew our hearts. Guide our leaders and people to seek Your truth, restoring us to Your favor. May Your mercy heal our land through repentance. Amen.
Daniel’s Prayer of Confession for Mercy and Restoration
Merciful God, like Daniel, I confess our sins, seeking Your mercy. We have disobeyed Your laws, yielding to pride and injustice. As Daniel 9:9 declares, You are merciful to those who repent. Forgive us, Lord, and restore our hearts. Guide us to live justly, honoring Your name. Renew our spirits to follow Your will, trusting in Your grace for restoration. Amen.
David’s Prayer of Confession after Sin with Bathsheba
Holy God, like David, I confess my grievous sins, mourning my betrayal of Your trust. I have lusted and deceived, straying far from You. As 2 Samuel 12:13 shows, You forgive repentant hearts. Cleanse me, Lord, and renew my spirit. Guide me to walk in purity, honoring You. Thank You for Your mercy that restores my soul to Your presence. 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.
