12 Powerful Prayers for Repentance and Forgiveness

If you’re looking for a Prayers for Repentance and forgiveness, you may be carrying guilt you can’t shake. Maybe you said something you shouldn’t have said. Maybe you fell back into a sin you promised yourself you would stop. Or maybe you just feel far from God and you want a clean heart again.

The good news is simple: God is not afraid of your honesty. He is not asking you to hide. He invites you to come back. Real repentance is not pretending. It is turning toward God with truth. And forgiveness is not God ignoring sin. It is God cleansing and restoring through Jesus Christ.

In this post, you’ll get a short biblical foundation first. Then you’ll have 12 prayers you can pray slowly, with one KJV Scripture under each prayer. The goal is not to feel impressive while praying. The goal is to return to God and stay close to Him.

What repentance and forgiveness mean in the Bible

This section is here so your prayers have a strong foundation. When you understand what repentance is, you won’t treat it like a speech you make to feel better. You’ll treat it like a real turning of the heart.

Repentance is turning back, not just feeling sorry

Feeling sorry can be a start, but repentance goes further. Repentance means you agree with God about your sin, and you turn away from it. You don’t defend it. You don’t rename it. You don’t blame others. You bring it into the light and you come back to God.

One verse that says this clearly is Acts 3:19: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” (KJV).

That is a picture of change. A turning. A return.

Forgiveness is promised when we confess honestly

Some people avoid repentance because they think God will reject them. But Scripture shows the opposite. God is faithful to forgive when we confess.

1 John 1:9 says: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (KJV).

Notice two things: forgiveness, and cleansing. God doesn’t only pardon. He also purifies.

A simple way to understand confession, repentance, and restoration

Here’s an easy way to keep it clear:

Confession: I admit the truth before God.
Repentance: I turn away from it and turn back to God.
Restoration: fellowship is renewed, and my steps start getting steady again.

This is why Psalm 51 is so loved. David didn’t try to sound perfect. He asked God for a clean heart. Psalm 51:10 says: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (KJV).

When you need to ask forgiveness from others too

Sometimes repentance is only between you and God. But sometimes your sin harmed someone. In that case, repentance may include making things right, as much as you can.

James 5:16 encourages believers to be honest and pray for one another: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another…” (KJV).

This doesn’t mean you tell your business to everyone. It means you don’t stay stuck in darkness. Wise confession and prayer can bring healing.

Common blocks that stop people from repenting

Repentance sounds simple, but many people still struggle to do it. Not because they don’t love God, but because something inside them is resisting. If any of these sound like you, you’re not alone.

Shame that makes you hide from God

Shame tells you, “God is tired of you.” Shame makes you hide, delay, and withdraw. But conviction does the opposite. Conviction brings you back to God.

If you feel shame, don’t run. Bring that feeling to God too. Say it plainly: “Lord, I feel ashamed. Help me come to You anyway.”

Fear of consequences

Sometimes the reason we avoid repentance is fear. We worry about what will happen if we confess. We worry about losing something. We worry about being exposed.

But repentance is still the safest path. Sin grows in secrecy. Healing grows in truth.

Repeating the same sin and feeling hopeless

This one is painful. You repent, then you fall again, and you start thinking, “What’s the point?”

If that’s where you are, don’t give up. Keep coming back. But also be honest about what needs to change around you. Some battles require boundaries. Some require accountability. Some require you to remove triggers and stop playing near the edge.

God forgives you, and He also teaches you how to walk wisely.

How to use these 12 prayers

The prayer section in Part 2 and Part 3 is written to be easy to use. You don’t need to pray them in a dramatic way. Slow and honest is enough.

Option 1: Pray one prayer a day for 12 days

Pray one prayer each day. Read the Scripture under it twice. Sit quietly for a moment after you pray. If you want, write one sentence like:

Today I confessed my sin and asked God to cleanse my heart.

Option 2: Pray by need

Some days you need a clean heart. Some days you need help forgiving someone. Some days you need strength to change. Choose the prayer that matches what you’re dealing with right now.

Option 3: Add your own honest confession

After each prayer, you can add one sentence in your own words, like:

Lord, I’m turning away from ________. Please help me walk in ________.

That kind of simple honesty goes a long way with God.

When you’re ready, tell me to continue, and I’ll write Part 2 (including the first set of prayers, each with exactly two call words and one KJV Scripture placed under it).

12 Powerful Prayers for Repentance and Forgiveness

Repentance and forgiveness are at the center of our walk with God. These 12 prayers will help you confess your sins honestly, feel real sorrow, and open your heart to His mercy and grace. They are useful whether you are seeking forgiveness for a specific wrong or simply wanting to draw closer to Him. Come to God with humility, trust, and hope.

Prayers to return to God with a clean heart

These prayers are for the moment you decide, “I’m coming back to God.” They help you return with honesty, ask for cleansing, and settle your heart in God’s mercy.

1. Prayer to come back to God honestly

Gracious God,
I come back to You with an honest heart.
I don’t want to hide anymore.
I admit that I have sinned and I have wandered.
Please forgive me and help me return to You fully.
Turn my heart away from what is wrong.
Bring me back into close fellowship with You.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19).

2. Prayer for cleansing and forgiveness

Holy God,
I confess my sins before You.
I have done wrong, and I need Your mercy.
Please forgive me and cleanse me.
Wash my heart and renew my mind.
Help me hate sin and love what is right.
Lead me into a clean and steady walk with You.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9).

3. Prayer for a clean heart and renewed spirit

Lord Jesus,
I need a clean heart.
Please remove what is unclean in me.
Renew my spirit and straighten what has become crooked inside.
Help me desire You more than sin.
Teach me to love Your Word and obey it.
Make me steady, humble, and sincere.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10).

Prayers to repent of specific struggles

These prayers focus on areas that often trip people up. They are not meant to shame you. They are meant to help you face the truth, turn to God, and ask for strength to change.

4. Prayer to repent of pride and self-reliance

Mighty God,
I confess that pride has been in my heart.
I have leaned on myself instead of leaning on You.
Please forgive me for trusting my own way.
Teach me humility and dependence on You.
Help me listen, learn, and obey even when it is hard.
Lead me in Your path, not my own.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6).

5. Prayer to repent of anger and harsh words

Dear Lord,
I confess that anger has ruled me at times.
My words have been sharp, and my reactions have not honored You.
Please forgive me for the harm I have caused.
Teach me to be slow to anger and quick to listen.
Help me speak with gentleness and wisdom.
Give me peace inside so I stop fighting with my words.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger… be put away from you.” (Ephesians 4:31).

6. Prayer to repent of sexual sin and secret bondage

Holy God,
You see my private life clearly.
I confess what I have done and what I have allowed.
Please forgive me and cleanse my mind.
Break the hold of temptation and secret sin.
Give me strength to walk away and stay away.
Help me set boundaries that protect my soul.
Make me clean and steady again.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” (Matthew 26:41).

7. Prayer to repent of dishonesty and make things right

God Almighty,
I confess that I have not been fully honest.
I have hidden things, twisted things, or avoided the truth.
Please forgive me and make me clean inside.
Give me courage to tell the truth and do what is right.
Help me make things right where I have caused harm.
Teach me to live with integrity, even when it costs me.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13).

Prayers to forgive others and receive God’s mercy

These prayers are for the heart that feels stuck—either holding pain against someone, or struggling to believe God can still forgive you. They are meant to bring release and peace.

8. Prayer to forgive someone who hurt you

Gracious God,
I bring this hurt to You.
You know what was done to me, and how it affected my heart.
Today I choose to forgive.
I release this person into Your hands.
Heal what is wounded in me, and remove bitterness from my spirit.
Help me walk in peace and not keep returning to the pain.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32).

9. Prayer to receive God’s mercy when you feel ashamed

Holy God,
I feel ashamed and unworthy.
I have been replaying my sin and judging myself harshly.
Please help me believe Your mercy is real.
Teach me to come to You honestly instead of hiding.
Remind me that Jesus paid the price for my sin.
Lift the weight of shame from me and restore my peace.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy.” (Hebrews 4:16).

10. Prayer to stop rehearsing the past and walk forward

Dear Lord,
I keep looking back at what I did wrong.
I keep replaying failures that You have already exposed and forgiven.
Help me receive Your forgiveness and move forward.
Teach me to learn from my past without living in it.
Renew my mind and strengthen my heart.
Help me walk in freedom and obedience today.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).

Prayers for restoration and steady obedience

These prayers are for what happens after repentance. They ask God to restore joy, rebuild your habits, and give you strength to live differently.

11. Prayer for restored joy and closeness with God

Mighty God,
I don’t want to live far from You.
Please restore my joy and bring me close again.
Let my heart become soft and responsive to Your voice.
Help me enjoy Your presence, not just fear Your correction.
Teach me to pray with sincerity and read Your Word with hunger.
Renew my love for You and steady my walk.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation.” (Psalm 51:12).

12. Prayer for strength to change and live differently

Lord Jesus,
I want real change, not only emotion.
Please give me strength to live differently.
Help me resist temptation and choose what is right.
Teach me new habits that protect my life.
Give me discipline when I feel weak, and courage when I feel pressured.
Work in me what I cannot produce by myself.
Amen.

Scripture (KJV):
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13).

After you pray: how to stay close to God

Repentance is a turning point, but it is also a daily walk. These simple steps can help you stay steady.

Keep short accounts with God

When you sin, don’t hide for weeks. Confess quickly. Turn quickly. Ask God for help quickly. A clean heart is not a perfect heart. It is a heart that returns to God.

Replace old patterns with new ones

If you keep falling into the same sin, it helps to be practical:

• remove triggers that pull you back
• set boundaries that protect your mind
• choose accountability with a mature believer
• fill your time with better habits
• keep your Bible and prayer life steady

Small changes, done consistently, can become strong protection.

Make amends when needed

If your sin harmed someone, make it right as much as you can. Apologize plainly. Repay what should be repaid. Rebuild trust with time, not pressure. Some people may need space, and you should respect that.

Closing encouragement

God does not despise a repentant heart. He is not looking for you to perform. He is calling you to return.

If you are willing to come honestly, God is willing to forgive. And if you are willing to take steps toward obedience, God is willing to strengthen you. Don’t let shame keep you away. Come back today.

FAQs

What is a simple Prayer for Repentance and forgiveness (KJV)?

A simple prayer is an honest one. Confess your sin to God, ask for forgiveness, and ask for strength to turn away from it. You can use any of the prayers above, especially Prayer 2 or Prayer 3.

What Bible verse is best for repentance and forgiveness?

Many people return to Acts 3:19 and 1 John 1:9 because they speak clearly about repentance, forgiveness, and cleansing.

How do I repent if I keep falling into the same sin?

Keep confessing and keep turning back to God. Then add practical steps: remove triggers, set boundaries, ask for accountability, and fill your mind with Scripture. Change is often a process.

Does God forgive all sins?

God forgives those who come to Him through Jesus Christ with repentance and faith. His mercy is real, and His cleansing is real.

How do I forgive someone who hurt me deeply?

Start by bringing the pain to God honestly. Forgiveness is sometimes a process. Ask God to heal your heart and help you release bitterness. You may also need wise counsel if the wound is deep.