Forgiveness is at the heart of our relationship with God. These 28 prayers for forgiveness of sins will guide you in seeking God’s mercy and cleansing for every area of life. Each prayer is accompanied by a relevant Bible verse to remind you of God’s promise to forgive and restore when we come to Him with repentant hearts.
Powerful Prayer For Forgiveness Of Sins
Whether you need general forgiveness or specific cleansing, these prayers will help you experience the freedom that comes through Christ’s sacrifice.
1. Prayer for Forgiveness of Sins
Merciful Father, I come before You acknowledging my sins. Wash me clean through Jesus’ precious blood. Create in me a pure heart and renew a right spirit within me. Help me turn from my wicked ways and walk in Your light.
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.” Thank You for Your faithful forgiveness. Amen.
2. Prayer for Forgiveness and Cleansing
Lord Jesus, I need Your cleansing power today. Purify me from all unrighteousness. Scrub away the stains of sin and make me whiter than snow. Let Your forgiveness refresh my soul like spring rain.
Psalm 51:7
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” Make me clean again, Lord. Amen.
3. Prayer for Forgiveness of Hidden Sins
Heavenly Father, reveal any sin I’ve overlooked or ignored. Shine Your light into the dark corners of my heart. Forgive me for sins I’ve committed unknowingly and help me walk in complete holiness.
Psalm 19:12
“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” Cleanse me from all unknown sin. Amen.
4. Prayer for Forgiveness of Recurring Sins
Lord God, I keep failing in this same area. I’m so sorry. Break the chains of this habitual sin. Give me strength to resist temptation and fill me with power to overcome. Let Your grace transform me.
Romans 6:14
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Free me from this cycle of sin. Amen.
5. Prayer for Forgiveness of Pride
Humble Savior, forgive my prideful heart. I’ve exalted myself rather than giving You glory. Tear down my selfish ambitions and teach me true humility. Help me esteem others above myself.
James 4:6
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'” Make me truly humble. Amen.
6. Prayer for Forgiveness of Anger
Prince of Peace, forgive my outbursts of anger. Cleanse me from bitterness and resentment. Teach me to be slow to anger and abounding in love. Let Your peace rule in my heart.
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Help me resolve anger rightly. Amen.
7. Prayer for Forgiveness of Unforgiveness
Father, forgive me for holding grudges. Help me release those who’ve hurt me, just as You’ve forgiven me. Remove all roots of bitterness and fill me with Your love instead.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Teach me to forgive completely. Amen.
8. Prayer for Forgiveness of Lying
God of Truth, forgive my dishonest words. Cleanse me from deception and half-truths. Make me a person of integrity who speaks truth in love. Let my yes be yes and my no be no.
Colossians 3:9
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” Clothe me in truthfulness. Amen.
9. Prayer for Forgiveness of Sexual Sin
Holy God, forgive my sexual immorality. Cleanse my mind and body. Help me honor You with my sexuality. Restore purity to my thoughts and actions through Christ’s redeeming power.
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
“Flee from sexual immorality… You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Help me honor You. Amen.
10. Prayer for Forgiveness of Greed
Generous Father, forgive my greed and materialism. Free me from love of money and help me be content. Teach me to 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.” Root greed out of my heart. Amen.
11. Prayer for Forgiveness of Envy
Lord, forgive my jealous heart. I’ve coveted what others have rather than thanking You for my blessings. Teach me to rejoice with those who rejoice and be content in all circumstances.
Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” Give me a peaceful, content heart. Amen.
12. Prayer for Forgiveness of Laziness
Father, forgive my slothfulness. Motivate me to work diligently as unto You. Help me redeem the time and use my gifts productively. Make me a faithful steward of all You’ve given.
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Renew my diligence. Amen.
13. Prayer for Forgiveness of Gossip
Lord, forgive my careless words about others. Cleanse me from slander and idle talk. Help me speak words that build up rather than tear down. Set a guard over my mouth.
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.
14. Prayer for Forgiveness of Neglecting God
Father, forgive me for putting You last. I’ve been too busy for prayer, too distracted for Your Word. Draw me back to intimate fellowship with You. Be first in my life again.
Revelation 2:4
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Restore my first love for You. Amen.
15. Prayer for Forgiveness of Disobedience
Lord, forgive my willful disobedience. I’ve known what’s right but chosen my own way. Soften my stubborn heart and make me quick to obey Your commands.
1 Samuel 15:22
“To obey is better than sacrifice.” Give me an obedient spirit. Amen.
16. Prayer for Forgiveness of Doubt
Jesus, forgive my wavering faith. When storms come, I’ve doubted Your care and power. Help me trust You completely. Strengthen my faith and remove all unbelief.
Mark 9:24
“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'” Increase my faith. Amen.
17. Prayer for Forgiveness of Worry
Father, forgive my anxious thoughts. I’ve carried burdens You never asked me to bear. Teach me to cast all my cares on You and rest in Your faithful provision.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything… present your requests to God.” Help me trust You completely. Amen.
18. Prayer for Forgiveness of Judgment
Merciful Judge, forgive my critical spirit. I’ve condemned others while ignoring my own faults. Help me remove the plank from my own eye before noticing specks in others.
Matthew 7:1-2
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Give me grace for others. Amen.
19. Prayer for Forgiveness of Wasted Time
Lord, forgive how I’ve squandered precious time. Redeem the hours I’ve wasted on trivial pursuits. Teach me to number my days and invest my time wisely for eternity.
Ephesians 5:15-16
“Be very careful, then, how you live—making the most of every opportunity.” Help me redeem the time. Amen.
20. Prayer for Forgiveness of Neglecting Others
Compassionate God, forgive me for overlooking those in need. Open my eyes to see opportunities to serve. Make me Your hands and feet to a hurting world.
Matthew 25:45
“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Give me Your heart for people. Amen.
21. Prayer for Forgiveness of Bad Attitudes
Father, forgive my negative attitudes. Replace complaining with gratitude, pessimism with faith, and cynicism with hope. Transform my mind to reflect Christ.
Philippians 2:5
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Give me Your attitude. Amen.
22. Prayer for Forgiveness of Idolatry
Lord, forgive me for putting anything before You. Tear down the idols in my heart – whether possessions, people, or pursuits. Be my first love and highest priority.
Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.” Be my one true God. Amen.
23. Prayer for Forgiveness of Hypocrisy
Jesus, forgive my hypocrisy. I’ve projected an image that doesn’t match my heart. Make me authentic in faith and consistent in character. Let my private life match my public profession.
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 whole and genuine. Amen.
24. Prayer for Forgiveness of Worldliness
Holy Father, forgive my compromise with the world. Help me live in the world but not of it. Set my mind on things above, not earthly things. Make me salt and light.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transform me daily. Amen.
25. Prayer for Forgiveness of Prayerlessness
Lord, forgive my prayerless life. I’ve relied on my own strength instead of seeking You. Draw me into deeper communion with You. Make me a person of persistent prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Pray continually.” Make prayer my first response, not last resort. Amen.
26. Prayer for Forgiveness of Hardheartedness
Tender Shepherd, forgive my hard heart. Soften me to feel what You feel. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Make me compassionate like Jesus.
Ezekiel 36:26
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Give me Your heart. Amen.
27. Prayer for Forgiveness of All Sins
Heavenly Father, I confess all my sins – known and unknown, past and present. Wash me completely clean through Jesus’ blood. Give me a fresh start and help me walk in newness of life.
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Thank You for complete forgiveness. Amen.
28. Prayer of Thanksgiving for Forgiveness
Gracious God, thank You for Your amazing forgiveness! I don’t deserve Your mercy, yet You lavish it freely through Christ. Help me never take Your grace for granted. Let my life show grateful obedience.
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.” Thank You for being faithful! Amen.
Conclusion
God’s forgiveness is complete and available to all who come to Him with repentant hearts. As you’ve prayed these 28 prayers for forgiveness, remember that Christ’s sacrifice has already paid for every sin.
Walk in the freedom of His forgiveness, and let His grace transform you to live a life that honors Him. May you experience the joy and peace that comes from being fully reconciled to your Heavenly Father.