Prayer Guide: Day 8

Scripture regularly reminds us of the power of speech and our words. The word “confession” is an example of one that carries weight. Confession for many evokes an image of catholicism with a wooden booth or even a courtroom with legal terms like “admission of guilt.” But I think it’s important for us to reclaim this word for what the Lord intended it to be. In Greek [homologeo], we find a meaning of alignment or agreement. In Hebrew [Yadah], there is a deeper meaning of life submission and praise. In light of scripture’s use of this word, we find alignment with God as we submit to and praise Him.

Though this new definition is powerful, confession’s true impact is contingent upon having someone else to confess to. Similar to our call to love God and others, the Bible shows us examples of confessing to both God and His people.

TO GOD:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” // 1 John 1:9

“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” // Rom. 10:9

TO OTHERS:

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”// James 5:16

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” // Gal. 6:2

Lastly, our ability to confess is reliant on how comfortable and close we feel to the Lord or that person. This further encourages our discipleship journey as we strive to know God through reading His word, prayer, communion, and many other forms of worship. Similarly, the more we invest in those around us and cultivate community (small groups, accountability, serving, etc.), we will have ways to live out biblical confession with others. Today may we all reclaim this word, “confession,” and strive to live out its meaning with God and His people.

Personal Prayer Focus

Confession reminds us to surrender to God regularly. Use the biblical definition of this word as a reminder of God’s desire for us to align with, submit to, and praise Him. He is good, He is faithful, and His desire to know us and be known by others is clear. As we pray today, let us ask the Lord to cultivate a relationship of confession in our relationship with Him and the family of God.

West Ridge Church Prayer Focus

Today let’s pray for our Student Ministry Staff (Todd Hampton, Sawyer Strickland, Lauren Marshall, and Shannon Purdy) and our Student Ministry Team as they seek to lead our middle school and high school students to become fully devoted followers of Jesus!