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5 Powerful Repentance Prayers

Have you prayed a repentance prayer before?

Repentance is one of those terms you may not understand unless you’re fully integrated into the Christian culture. But it’s an important aspect of the Christian walk. 

As Christians, we need to be making a practice of daily repentance. It’s not something we practice only when first becoming Christians – it’s an ongoing process.

A practical way to repent is through prayer. Keep reading to learn more about what repentance is and how to pray for repentance.

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What is a Repentance Prayer

Repentance means to turn away from sin and turn to Christ. It’s a 180° turn.

A repentance prayer is essentially the same. You’re communicating to God that you’d like to turn away from the sins in your life and turn toward him.

Repentance Prayer Scripture

Here are some scriptures that touch base on repentance.

  • 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).
  • Acts 3:19 – “Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,” (ESV).
  • Matthew 3:8 – “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance,” (ESV).
  • Revelation 3:19 – “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent,” (ESV).

As Christians, we’re constantly warring against sin (Galatians 5:17, 1 John 1:8, Romans 7:15-20). Repentance prayers help us call on God for help with turning away from sin. We can’t repent on our own strength – we need God!

Repentance Prayer Points

So, how do you pray a prayer of repentance? What are the components of a repentance prayer?

Here are repentance prayer points to lead you in the right direction:

  • Thankfulness: Thank God for his forgiveness and help with sanctifying you.
  • List your sins: Before praying, consider listing the sins you know you struggle with.
  • Realize your inability to turn from sin on your own strength: You can’t fight sin on your own. You need God’s power to do so.
  • Trust that God hears your prayers and will help you fight sin: God has given you the Holy Spirit to help you with sin.

Prayers for Repentance

While praying for repentance should be a daily part of your prayer routine, there are additional types of repentance prayers you may want to pray for specific reasons.

  • Prayer for Repentance and Forgiveness
  • Prayer for Repentance and Cleansing
  • Deep Repentance Prayer
  • Daily Repentance Prayer
  • Simple Repentance Prayer
Repentance Prayer

Prayer for Repentance and Forgiveness

You want to repent from your sins and ask God for forgiveness. Repentance is an important aspect of your Christian walk. When you repent, God is faithful to forgive.

Here’s a sample prayer for repentance and forgiveness:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being faithful to forgive my sins when I confess them to you. Thank you for the gift of repentance and forgiveness. Through the help of the Holy Spirit, I’m able to fight against sin.

I pray you’d help me turn away from the sins I’m struggling with in my life. Forgive me for committing these sins. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Repentance Prayer

Prayer for Repentance and Cleansing

You want to repent from your sins and be cleansed from them. Repentance is turning away from sin and turning toward Christ.

Here’s a sample prayer for repentance and cleansing:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for the sins of the world. Because of his sacrifice, we’re able to have a relationship with you. Today, I pray you’d help me repent and cleanse me of any sin in my life. Make me more like Christ. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Repentance Prayer

Deep Repentance Prayer

You’re in need of deep repentance. You have many sins you’d like to purge from your life. Only God can help us in repentance.

Here’s a sample prayer for deep repentance:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me a heart of flesh and for allowing me to have a relationship with you. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins. I repent of my sins. I choose to turn away from my sins and turn toward you.

In particular, I pray you’d rid me of selfishness and help me be more selfless. Help me be more like Jesus. In the Bible, I see that Jesus came to serve and not be served. Help me be more like this. Help me think of myself less and think of others more. I trust you’re able to help me with this. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Repentance Prayer

Daily Repentance Prayer

Repentance should be a daily practice in the life of a Christian. No one is perfect, even as a Christian. You will always have sin in your life that you need to repent of. That’s why daily repentance is important.

Here’s a sample prayer for daily repentance:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for giving me the ability to communicate with you daily. I pray that you’d help me walk in step with the Holy Spirit today. If I fall into sin, pick me back up and help me turn away from that sin.

I confess my sins to you and trust you will give me the strength to fight back. I turn away from the sins I commit daily and turn toward you Lord. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Repentance Prayer

Simple Repentance Prayer

Repentance prayers don’t have to be eloquent. You can pray a simple repentance prayer. God hears our prayers, no matter if they’re simple or elaborate.

Here’s a simple sample prayer for repentance:

Heavenly Father, Thank you for everything you do for me. I come before to repent of my sins. Please help me turn away from my sins and turn toward you Lord. I pray you’d help me follow you faithfully. Give me the power and strength. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Are you looking for some tools and tips to boost your prayer life? If so, be sure to visit our Prayer Resources Library where you’ll find everything you need to become a powerful prayer warrior!

These prayers are not meant to be rigid prayers you pray word for word. You can use these word for word if you’d like, but they’re meant more as a guide so you know how to pray a repentance prayer.

If you are new to prayer, that is OK! God will still hear you even if you don’t think you are doing a good job with it!

I hope these repentance prayers help you! May you be blessed!

And feel free to download and share our free repentance prayer images on social media!

Allie Odish

Allie is a Christian blogger at By Allie, For You where she writes about prayer, Christian living, apologetics, and bible study for new believers. She has a passion for Christ and hopes to inspire people to action through her writing.

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2 thoughts on “5 Powerful Repentance Prayers”

  1. I’m a believer. Give God all praise, honor, credit for my life. Have recently became weak and had fallen. Have been doing more reading and praying the passed few days. Thank you for your site on repentance prayer!

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