Topical Bible: Prayer: Accompanied With: Confession

◄ Prayer: Accompanied With: Confession ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Prayer, a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, is often accompanied by confession, an act of acknowledging one's sins and seeking forgiveness from God. Confession in prayer is a practice deeply rooted in Scripture, emphasizing the believer's need for repentance and the cleansing of sin to maintain a right relationship with God.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of confession in prayer. In the Old Testament, confession is seen as an integral part of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness. King David's prayer in Psalm 51 is a profound example of confession. After being confronted by the prophet Nathan regarding his sin with Bathsheba, David prays, "Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight" (Psalm 51:4). This psalm highlights the personal nature of sin against God and the necessity of confession in seeking His forgiveness.

In the New Testament, confession is further emphasized as a vital component of prayer. The Apostle John writes, "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). This passage assures believers of God's faithfulness and justice in forgiving sins when they are confessed, underscoring the transformative power of confession in prayer.

Role in the Life of Believers

Confession in prayer serves several purposes in the life of a believer. It is an act of humility, acknowledging one's sins and shortcomings before a holy and righteous God. This act of humility is essential for spiritual growth and maturity, as it aligns the believer's heart with God's will and fosters a deeper relationship with Him.

Moreover, confession is a means of receiving God's grace and mercy. Through confession, believers experience the cleansing and renewal that comes from God's forgiveness. This renewal is crucial for maintaining spiritual vitality and overcoming the power of sin in one's life.

Corporate Confession

While confession is often a personal act, the Bible also highlights the importance of corporate confession. In the book of Nehemiah, the Israelites gather together to confess their sins collectively. Nehemiah 9:2 states, "Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers" . This collective act of confession demonstrates the communal aspect of repentance and the shared responsibility of seeking God's forgiveness as a community.

Practical Application

Incorporating confession into prayer can be practiced in various ways. Believers are encouraged to regularly examine their hearts and lives, bringing any known sins before God in prayer. This practice can be done individually or as part of a corporate worship setting. Confession can also be integrated into liturgical prayers, where specific times are set aside for acknowledging sins and seeking God's forgiveness.

In summary, prayer accompanied by confession is a vital practice for believers, rooted in biblical teaching and essential for spiritual growth. Through confession, believers experience God's forgiveness, cleansing, and renewal, enabling them to live in accordance with His will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Nehemiah 1:4,7
And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 9:4-11
And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Prayer
... It leads to earnest entreaty for pardon, accompanied with humble confession and
sure ... Objection to the third rule of prayer. Of the glorying of the saints. ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/of prayer.htm

The Mortifications Here Treated of in Particular are not of Such ...
... and unprofitable labour to make them matters of confession, although the ... True it
is that, by perseverance in spiritual prayer, accompanied with mortification ...
/.../chapter ii the mortifications here.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... Prayer includes praise; but to pray is not to sing ... Sacrifice accompanied vowing in
former times; but sacrifice was ... is engaged in along with confession of sin ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... It leads to earnest entreaty for pardon, accompanied with humble confession and
sure ... Objection to the third rule of prayer. Of the glorying of the saints. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
... life of the Church will always be accompanied by a ... greatness of this sin of restraining
prayer, individual ministers ... had been taken, he had to make confession. ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter vi restraining prayer is.htm

Formalities of Prayer: Conclusion
... dispositions of the body that, accompanied by outstretching ... In the beginning and
opening of prayer, glory is ... After confession it appears to me that one ought ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter xx formalities of prayer .htm

Having Dealt with Faith, we Now Come to Speak of Hope. Everything ...
... Out of this confession of faith, which is briefly comprehended ... hope of believers;
and this is accompanied by a ... to hope which are embraced in the Lord's Prayer. ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 114 having dealt with faith.htm

The Several Parts of Worship.
... The first Christians accompanied every important act of their public ... in the apostolic
churches, which, whether song or prayer, was always ... 5. Confession Of Faith ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 53 the several parts.htm

Of Internal Prayer in General, and Principally of Internal ...
... they were, and having been at confession, if a ... which cannot be separated from
discoursive prayer, is little valuable except it be accompanied with, or ...
/.../chapter iii of internal prayer.htm

The Poison and the Antidote
... he would be slow to do so when they asked him, for the asking was accompanied with
ample confession. The serpents had done their work, and the prayer that the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the poison and the antidote.htm