Prayer Journal

Friday, December 22, 2000
357/9
Read the Bible through in OneYear

Confession is an indispensable part of the Christian life. In fact, our salvation began with a verbal confession of faith in Jesus Christ. Also, confession is another word for our praise and worship of God. In addition, it is the means by which a broken fellowship with God is restored. As for church congregations, public confession of sin almost always precedes an outbreak of unity within the body. (Re: Rom 10:9,10; Heb 13:15; 1 John 1:9; Jas 5:16)

In light of Scripture, it's amazing then, that we do not understand or practice confession on a regular basis. It hasn't always been that way though. In the church of Jonathan Edwards, one day during delivery of his sermon, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”, many people threw their arms around the pillars of the church and cried, "Lord save us. We are slipping down to hell". No doubt, conviction of sin marked the mighty moving of the Holy Spirit that day.

Acts 19 gives us another account of the Holy Spirit’s work in Ephesus that was so powerfully evident that many believers publicly confessed and turned from their sin. Not only did revival break out that day but everyone expressed fear for even misusing Jesus’ name. Many people were saved that day and the power of God’s word grew demonstrably as God's people confessed their sin. (11-20)

Sadly, today many pastors discourage public confession of sin for fear that it might be offensive or take control of a pre-planned meeting. Not only so, but confession is only practiced as a private step in the prayer life of an individual. But, scripture has an entirely different opinion. James 5:16 tells us that confession and prayer, while related, are not the same. Strictly speaking, prayer should not even begin before proper confession is made. If we have sinned against God, we must tell Him, but what excuse do we have for not doing the sane thing for people we have offended?

One thing for sure, if you want to become everything God desires you to be, confession will be the foundation upon which your service is built. If a church wants to see the Holy Spirit move, it begins with public confession of public sin.

“On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and having dust on their heads. Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and their wickedness of their fathers. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day, and spent another fourth in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.” Neh 9:1-3

 

(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The image used herein were created from original photography by James R. Green. © Copyright 2000 Prayertower Ministries. All Rights Reserved.

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