The Scriptures have much to say about not coming to the altar if we are holding something against a sister or brother. We are told that we will be forgiven inasmuch as we forgive. The early church was known for its public confessions of sins. Many traditions of Christianity have practiced public confession, and many great revivals have been sparked by folks beating their breasts and confessing sins to one another.
What are some ways we could incorporate confession into our lives? This is commonplace in Celebrate Recovery where we share testimonies, and in confidential small groups share our struggles. But what about at other times? Would confession of sins be a welcomed addition to Sunday morning, keeping in mind that the Apostles commanded us to do exactly that? (James 5:16; 1 John 1:9) What about in small group Bible studies, or with a trusted brother or sister in Christ?
One practice used in some communities is called”prouds and sorries,” where each person is given the space to share something they are proud of and something they are sorry about. Just as we confess things that are wrong, we also need to be reminded that we are better than the worst things we do. Reconciliation is one of the fruits of confession, and it is worth thinking about ways of speaking into each other’s lives as we hope to restore whatever may have been broken or lost. (Some communities respond to confessions by saying together, “We proclaim to you God’s forgiveness and ours.”)
Confessional prayer assumes that our worship takes place in a deeply flawed community. The church has always been a worrisome and dysfunctional place. But by grace we can take small steps to restore trust. Maybe it is writing a note to someone we have offended or calling up someone we have murmured to (or about) and asking for their forgiveness. Maybe it means each week choosing to do something nice for someone it’s hard for you to like. Seeking to be a blessing to others is not something we do to earn God’s grace; it’s the opposite - because we have experienced God’s grace, we can’t help but do some act of grace toward another person.
So whoever you are, and whatever you’ve done, God offers forgiveness through the blood of Christ. And your church family stands ready to support you. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” - James 5:16 NIV
(Adapted from “Confession,” from Common Prayer, pg. 411.)