Repentance is a deep act of turning away from our wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness. In this collection of 30 prayers, we delve into the depths of remorse, guided by scriptures illuminating the path toward reconciliation with our Creator.
These heartfelt petitions invite us to examine our hearts, acknowledge our transgressions, and seek divine mercy. Whether whispered in solitude or shared within a community, these prayers resonate with the universal longing for redemption.
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Prayers For Repentance As An Individual
1. Acts 3:19
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I come to You with a heavy heart, burdened by the weight of my sins. I repent and turn back to You, longing for Your forgiveness. Blot out my transgressions, and cleanse me from my iniquities. I am truly sorry for the ways I have strayed from Your path. Help me to walk in righteousness and seek Your face daily. Renew my spirit and restore the joy of Your salvation. Amen.
2. 2 Chronicles 7:14
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I humble myself before You, acknowledging my sins and seeking Your mercy. I have wandered away from Your commandments and indulged in wickedness. Forgive me, Lord, and hear my cry for forgiveness. Heal my heart and soul, and guide me back to Your ways. Let Your grace restore me and make me whole again. I seek Your face earnestly and desire to live according to Your will. Amen.
3. Psalm 51:1-2
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!” (ESV)
Prayer:
O God, I plead for Your mercy and compassion. I have sinned against You and am in need of Your forgiveness. Wash away my iniquities and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Your love and mercy are boundless, and I rely on them to restore my soul. Blot out my transgressions and make me pure in Your sight. I am deeply sorry for my sins and seek Your grace to transform my life. Amen.
4. Luke 15:7
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I come before You as a sinner in need of repentance. I am aware of the joy that my repentance brings to heaven, and I am truly sorry for my wrongdoings. Forgive me and fill my heart with Your peace. I want to turn away from my sins and live a life that honors You. Help me to remain steadfast in my faith and to seek Your guidance in all that I do. Thank You for Your boundless mercy and love. Amen.
5. Isaiah 55:7
“let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Merciful God, I forsake my wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts. I return to You, seeking Your compassion and forgiveness. Abundantly pardon my sins and renew my spirit. I acknowledge my wrongdoings and ask for Your grace to lead me back to righteousness. Thank You for Your unwavering love and the promise of forgiveness. Help me to live a life that reflects Your mercy and grace. Amen.
6. Ezekiel 18:21
“But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I turn away from all my sins and commit to keeping Your statutes. I desire to do what is just and right in Your eyes. Forgive me for my past transgressions and grant me the strength to live a righteous life. I am grateful for Your promise of life and forgiveness. Help me to remain faithful to Your commandments and to walk in Your ways. Amen.
7. Joel 2:13
“and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Gracious God, I rend my heart before You, acknowledging my sins and seeking Your mercy. I return to You, knowing that You are slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Forgive me for my transgressions and restore my soul. I am deeply sorry for my sins and desire to live in accordance with Your will. Thank You for Your grace and compassion. Help me to walk in Your ways and to remain steadfast in my faith. Amen.
8. Matthew 3:8
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I seek to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. I am truly sorry for my sins and desire to live a life that reflects my commitment to You. Help me to turn away from my sinful ways and to produce good fruit in my life. I rely on Your grace and strength to guide me in this journey. Thank You for Your forgiveness and love. Help me to remain faithful and to live a life that honors You. Amen.
9. Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess my transgressions before You and forsake them. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your mercy. Help me to be honest about my wrongdoings and to turn away from them. I desire to live a life that honors You and reflects Your love and grace. Thank You for Your forgiveness and the promise of mercy. Guide me in Your ways and help me to remain faithful. Amen.
10. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Faithful God, I confess my sins before You, trusting in Your promise of forgiveness. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness and restore my soul. I am truly sorry for my wrongdoings and seek Your grace to transform my life. Thank You for Your faithfulness and justice. Help me to walk in Your ways and to remain steadfast in my faith. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
11. James 4:8
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I draw near to You, seeking Your presence and forgiveness. Cleanse my hands and purify my heart from all unrighteousness. I acknowledge my sins and double-mindedness, and I am truly sorry. Help me to remain steadfast in my faith and to seek Your guidance in all that I do. Thank You for Your promise to draw near to those who seek You. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
12. Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I acknowledge Your reproof and discipline as acts of love. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek to be zealous in my repentance. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your guidance and correction. I rely on Your grace and strength to lead me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
13. Psalm 32:5
“I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I acknowledge my sin to You and do not cover my iniquity. I confess my transgressions and seek Your forgiveness. I am truly sorry for my wrongdoings and desire to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Help me to remain faithful and to walk in Your ways. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
14. Romans 2:4
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (ESV)
Prayer:
Gracious God, I acknowledge Your kindness, forbearance, and patience. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Your kindness leads me to repentance, and I am grateful for Your mercy. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and grace. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
15. Mark 1:15
“and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.'” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I acknowledge that the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. I repent and believe in the gospel, seeking Your forgiveness and
grace. I am truly sorry for my sins and desire to live a life that honors You. Help me to remain faithful and to walk in Your ways. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
16. Acts 2:38
“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” (ESV)
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I repent and seek Your forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ. I am truly sorry for my sins and desire to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and grace. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
17. Ezekiel 18:30
“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord God, I acknowledge Your judgment and repent of all my transgressions. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
18. Luke 5:32
“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that You have come to call sinners like me to repentance. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
19. Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I come before You, acknowledging my sins that are like scarlet. I am truly sorry for my wrongdoings and seek Your forgiveness. Make my sins as white as snow and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Thank You for Your boundless love and grace. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
20. 2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I am grateful for Your patience and desire for all to reach repentance. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
21. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I am brokenhearted and crushed in spirit, seeking Your presence and salvation. I am truly sorry for my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
22. Isaiah 66:2
“All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I humble myself and come before You with a contrite spirit, trembling at Your word. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
23. Jeremiah 31:19
“For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded because I bore the disgrace of my youth.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I am ashamed and confounded by the disgrace of my sins. After turning away, I now relent and seek Your instruction. I am truly sorry for my wrongdoings and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my past and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
24. Ezekiel 33:11
“Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?'” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord God, I hear Your plea for the wicked to turn from their ways and live. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn back from my evil ways and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
25. Hosea 14:1
“Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I return to You, acknowledging my sins and seeking Your forgiveness. I have stumbled because of my iniquity and am truly sorry. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
26. Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.'” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I hear Your call to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
27. Acts 17:30
“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I acknowledge the times of ignorance You have overlooked and now heed Your command to repent. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
28. Ezekiel 36:26
“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I seek a new heart and spirit within me. Remove the heart of stone and give me a heart of flesh. I am truly sorry for my sins and seek Your forgiveness. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
29. Jonah 3:10
“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord, I turn from my evil ways, seeking Your forgiveness and mercy. I am truly sorry for my sins and ask for Your grace. Just as You relented from disaster upon seeing repentance, I pray You would relent from the consequences of my wrongdoings. Help me to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
30. Zechariah 1:3
“Therefore say to them, Thus declares the Lord of hosts: Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts.” (ESV)
Prayer:
Lord of hosts, I return to You, seeking Your forgiveness and grace. I am truly sorry for my sins and desire to live a life that honors You. Thank You for Your promise to return to those who seek You. Help me to turn away from my wrongdoings and to remain faithful in my walk with You. Thank You for Your boundless love and mercy. Guide me in this journey of repentance and renewal. Amen.
Conclusion
Embarking on a heartfelt journey of repentance, we find solace in these transformative prayers, tenderly prepared to awaken our souls and heal our spirits.
As we navigate waves of guilt, let these precious words guide us like beacons, fostering compassion and stirring echoes of redemption within.