Week 3 – Confess
September 28, 2025
The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray. Samuel Chadwick
Confession might be one of the most difficult topics when it comes to the Christian life and its importance in prayer. It’s easy to confess our sin in generalities and think that is enough. Our confession might sound like, “Lord, forgive me if I did anything wrong yesterday.” Or “Forgive me if I hurt you.” It’s difficult to plunge the depths of the real problem when the problem is within us.
What exactly should we confess? Anything that we have made an idol in our life which is any time we have trusted someone or something other than God, including ourselves.
Ray and Maureen Borzone put it this way, “When we turn to other sources besides God for comfort, strength, and affirmation, we cut ourselves off from the life He would fill us with.” We might look to food, shopping, gambling, sex, affirmation from others, working out, you name it. These things are not inherently bad, most are necessary for life. However, when anything outside of God becomes our exclusive comfort or convinces us we are strong enough to do things on our own, that’s when we know they have become an idol.
This could look like boundaries that ensure we don’t get hurt again but keep us from forgiveness, friendships, or love. They can be the incessant distractions that build layer upon layer of balm on our wounds – until we no longer notice the gash in our heart. Idols can be what we have convinced ourselves we deserve because of what we have accomplished or been through. Idolatry is ordering our lives according to the world and its rules for behavior rather than on God and His upside-down kingdom.
How do we confess? James put it simply. “Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16a
The first thing is understanding where the landmines of idolatry are in your life and this will take time. Begin by asking God what needs to be confessed. He will reveal to you what you are ready for. As He reveals things to you be quick to confess not only your agreement with Him, but your willingness to live according to His kingdom. Listen for His direction. Be careful to linger here as long as it takes. Moving on too quickly only stunts the ability to go deeper.
Confess to a trusted brother or sister who is a fellow disciple. This confession is not a request for forgiveness for God already forgives you. Rather it is the way to a clear conscience. It is taking the journey to healing and freedom with a fellow disciple of Jesus.
Continue to begin your prayer time with the prayer and instructions on the How to Start page. Go to your place of prayer and worship the God who has already done all that is needed for your forgiveness. This week’s reading will take you deep into the heart of God and his desire for you to live in freedom from sin. You will know it’s Him because He is tender in His work and His burden is light. There is no condemnation in Jesus.
Day 1 2 Samuel 11-12
Day 2 Psalm 32 & 51
Day 3 James 1-2
Day 4 James 3-5
Day 5 Psalm 139
Additional Scriptures for the week
