True repentance opens the door to God’s mercy and restoration. These 28 prayers guide you through every aspect of biblical repentance – from conviction of sin to receiving forgiveness and walking in newness of life.
Powerful Short Prayer For Repentance
Each prayer is grounded in Scripture to help you experience the cleansing power of God’s forgiveness.
1. Prayer for Conviction of Sin
Holy Spirit, open my eyes to see my sins as You see them. Convict me of everything that displeases You. Don’t let me make excuses or blame others. Help me take full responsibility for my wrongs. Give me godly sorrow that leads to true repentance, not just worldly regret. Break my heart over what breaks Yours.
John 16:8
“When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” Convict me of my sins. Amen.
2. Prayer for Godly Sorrow
Lord, replace my shallow regret with deep godly sorrow. Let me feel the weight of how my sins hurt You and others. Remove any pride that keeps me from fully acknowledging my failures. Create in me a broken and contrite heart that You will not despise.
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Give me godly sorrow. Amen.
3. Prayer for Confession
Merciful Father, I confess all my sins to You now – those I remember and those I’ve forgotten. I admit my rebellion, selfishness, and failures. I take responsibility for my thoughts, words and actions that dishonored You. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness as I confess.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I confess my sins. Amen.
4. Prayer for Turning from Sin
Lord Jesus, I don’t just want to feel sorry – I want to turn completely from my sins. Give me strength to abandon every sinful habit, relationship and pattern. Show me the way of escape from temptation. Help me walk in obedience from this day forward.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Help me truly turn from sin. Amen.
5. Prayer for Cleansing
Father, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Purify me with the precious blood of Jesus. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Remove every stain of sin and make me whiter than snow. Let no guilt remain as I receive Your complete forgiveness.
Psalm 51:2
“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Cleanse me completely. Amen.
6. Prayer for Forgiveness
Gracious God, I claim Your promise of forgiveness through Christ. Thank You for canceling my debt at the cross. Help me receive Your mercy fully, without doubting. Let the reality of being forgiven transform how I see myself and live my life.
Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Thank You for forgiving me. Amen.
7. Prayer for Restoration
Lord, restore what my sins have damaged. Heal relationships I’ve hurt. Repair my witness for Christ. Renew the joy of my salvation. Return me to fruitful service in Your kingdom. Let my life now bring You glory where I once brought shame.
Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten.” Restore what was lost. Amen.
8. Prayer for Breaking Strongholds
Almighty God, break every sinful stronghold in my life. Shatter chains of addiction, pride, lust and rebellion. Tear down mental strongholds that exalt themselves against You. Set me completely free to serve You without compromise.
2 Corinthians 10:4
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Demolish my strongholds. Amen.
9. Prayer for Renewed Mind
Father, transform my thinking to align with Your truth. Remove sinful thought patterns and replace them with godly ones. Help me take every thought captive to Christ. Let Your Word renew my mind so I discern and choose what pleases You.
Romans 12:2
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.” Renew my mind. Amen.
10. Prayer for Accountability
Lord, lead me to trustworthy believers who will hold me accountable. Give me humility to accept correction and counsel. Help me be transparent about my struggles. Surround me with people who will encourage my walk with You and confront me in love when needed.
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Lead me to accountability. Amen.
11. Prayer for Temptation Resistance
Jesus, strengthen me to resist temptation when it comes. Help me recognize the enemy’s schemes. Give me immediate hatred for the sins I used to love. Arm me with Scripture to combat lies. Provide Your way of escape in every testing.
1 Corinthians 10:13
“God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” Help me resist temptation. Amen.
12. Prayer for Repentance in the Church
Lord, bring deep repentance to Your Church worldwide. Convict us of compromise, division and lukewarmness. Purify us as Your spotless bride. Restore the fear of the Lord among Your people. Let revival begin with repentance in Your house.
Revelation 2:5
“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.” Bring repentance to Your Church. Amen.
13. Prayer for National Repentance
God of justice, call our nation to repentance. Convict us of shedding innocent blood, sexual immorality, greed and pride. Turn the hearts of leaders and citizens back to You. Spare us from judgment and pour out revival instead.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray… then I will hear from heaven.” Bring national repentance. Amen.
14. Prayer for Generational Sins
Heavenly Father, I repent for sins passed down in my family line. Break every curse and destructive pattern. Let the blood of Jesus cancel all inherited iniquity. Establish new godly legacies for future generations through my transformed life.
Exodus 20:5
“I punish the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” Break generational sins. Amen.
15. Prayer for Repentance from Pride
Lord, I repent of all pride in my heart – self-righteousness, arrogance and self-sufficiency. Clothe me with humility. Help me esteem others above myself. Teach me to walk in complete dependence on You. Let Your grace flow to the humble.
James 4:6
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Make me truly humble. Amen.
16. Prayer for Repentance from Lust
Holy God, I repent of lustful thoughts, fantasies and actions. Purify my heart and mind. Help me honor You with my body. Guard my eyes from temptation. Fill me with love that seeks others’ good rather than selfish pleasure.
Matthew 5:28
“Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Cleanse me from lust. Amen.
17. Prayer for Repentance from Greed
Lord, I repent of greed and materialism. Free me from love of money and possessions. Teach me contentment in Christ alone. Make me generous with what You’ve given me. Help me store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Uproot greed from my heart. Amen.
18. Prayer for Repentance from Gossip
Father, I repent of gossip, slander and careless words. Set a guard over my mouth. Help me speak only what builds others up. Teach me to control my tongue. Let my words reflect Your grace and truth.
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.” Purify my speech. Amen.
19. Prayer for Repentance from Anger
Lord Jesus, I repent of sinful anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. Heal my wounded heart. Help me release offenses to You. Fill me with Your peace and patience. Let Your love replace all rage in my heart.
Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Remove my anger. Amen.
20. Prayer for Repentance from Idolatry
Almighty God, I repent of putting anything before You – relationships, success, pleasures or possessions. Tear down every idol in my heart. Take Your rightful place as Lord of my life. Help me love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Be my only God. Amen.
21. Prayer for Repentance from Dishonesty
God of truth, I repent of lies, deception and exaggeration. Make me completely truthful in all things. Let my yes be yes and my no be no. Help me walk in integrity even when it costs me. Conform me to Jesus who is the Truth.
Colossians 3:9
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” Make me truthful. Amen.
22. Prayer for Repentance from Neglecting God
Lord, I repent of neglecting my relationship with You. Forgive me for putting You last in my priorities. Rekindle my first love for You. Teach me to seek Your kingdom first. Help me abide in Christ daily through prayer and Your Word.
Revelation 2:4
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Restore my first love. Amen.
23. Prayer for Repentance from Prayerlessness
Father, I repent of not praying as I should. Forgive me for relying on myself rather than seeking You. Awaken me to the power and privilege of prayer. Teach me to pray without ceasing. Make my life a continual conversation with You.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.” Make me a person of prayer. Amen.
24. Prayer for Repentance from Worldliness
Holy Spirit, I repent of being conformed to the world’s values and behaviors. Transform me to reflect Christ in all things. Help me live as an alien and stranger in this world. Keep me unstained by the world as I wait for Christ’s return.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Free me from worldliness. Amen.
25. Prayer for Repentance from Selfishness
Lord, I repent of living for myself rather than for You and others. Crucify my selfish nature. Fill me with Your selfless love. Help me consider others’ needs above my own. Make me a servant like Jesus who came not to be served but to serve.
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Make me selfless. Amen.
26. Prayer for Repentance from Unbelief
Father, I repent of doubting Your promises and faithfulness. Strengthen my weak faith. Help me trust You in every circumstance. Remove all fear and anxiety as I learn to rely completely on You. Increase my faith daily.
Mark 9:24
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Strengthen my faith. Amen.
27. Prayer for Repentance from Hypocrisy
Lord Jesus, I repent of hypocrisy – appearing spiritual while harboring sin. Make me authentic in my walk with You. Let my private life match my public profession. Purify my motives to please You alone, not impress people.
Matthew 23:28
“On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” Make me truly righteous. Amen.
28. Prayer for a Repentant Heart
Heavenly Father, keep my heart tender and repentant before You. Help me quickly confess and turn from sin. Let me never grow comfortable with disobedience. Maintain in me a continual attitude of repentance that keeps me close to You.
Psalm 51:17
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Keep my heart repentant. Amen.
As you’ve prayed these prayers of repentance, remember God’s promise that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Walk in the freedom of His complete forgiveness, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a transformed life that brings glory to Christ.