A Prayer of Confession
Holy Spirit let me not grieve You today in my actions, words or thoughts. Make abhorrent to me what you detest; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such, all the works of the flesh.
You reside in me Holy Spirit; my body, mind, and heart are your home, your temple. You know my every thought; when I fondle lust, contemplate murder, formulate a lie. All is exposed to you. Every betrayal, false promise, every sell-out, and Judas kiss.
I hurt you more than any other because you know and love me like no one else. No hidden secrets, treachery, or duplicity escape yourloving gaze.
If I ascend to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in hell, behold you are still there. You make your dwelling in me. Your love resides in the depths of my soul. How can I ignore you? Only to my detriment. I beg you, Sweet Spirit do not depart from me, do not take your love, peace and joy. Do not leave me in this world alone.
I grieve You when I ignore your presence, gentle promptings, tender leading, and influence. It is your work to sanctify, transform, to present me blameless before all creation. To quarry, chisel and polish so that I may perfectly fit into that eternal edifice of which Christ is the cornerstone.
Let me host you moment by moment as the most honored guest, as royalty who has come to this humble abode. Your greatest desire is truth in my innermost sanctum. You are made more comfortable with my obedience rather than sacrifice. Make me holy as You are holy so that these meager lodgings do not cause offense. Create in me a clean heart so as not to defile this common shelter. Fill the halls of my heart with worship and praise which is your favorite habitation. Come Holy Spirit; I need thee come sweet Spirit I pray, come in thy strength and thy power, come in thine own special way. Come gentle Spirit and fill me. Let your train fill this temple. Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty that my life would overflow with your glory.
There is a wealth of effectiveness in this prayer of confession. I’m grateful that its author is unknown, as it really applies to every one of us; it could be your prayer, my prayer, every believer’s prayer. I encourage you to lay your heart bare before our Heavenly Father, meditating on these words. Own them. Make it an offering of confession and profession; I trust and rest in You, Jesus! –DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics