The more you are open to the Holy Spirit, the more aware you will be of those areas in your life where Jesus is not yet fully revealed in you. With that awareness should come a deep knowledge of the Lord's unconditional love. If you start feeling like a failure, remember the power of God's forgiving love, as expressed on the cross at Calvary. Then praise Him! Some one commented once that when we have sinned we can simply "Run to God, yell 'guilty!' and get on with things." This is a good reminder that we don't have to stay stuck and paralyzed with guilt. The Lord wants us to celebrate our movement toward Him. Sin has a power to hold us down and block the flow of God's love. We hide when we feel guilty. Repentance has a power to life us up again and release the flow of God's love.

For Catholics (and those from other sacramental churches) the sacrament of reconciliation is one of the greatest gifts they can give themselves when they faces with sin and guilt, especially when it is deep and heartfelt, and not ritualistic or superficial. Many are healed, emotionally and even physically, through this powerful instrument of grace. So this is a brief period of self examination, of asking the Lord to reveal areas of unconfessed sin and then making some positive choices. The Lord may be calling you to speak with a pastor or with a wise , trusted friend. He may call you to make amends to a person you have harmed. Be obedient to what the Holy Spirit tells you to do. He won't ask you to do anything without giving you the strength to succeed.

As you pray the following prayer I am not recommending that you delve into all your sin and failings, but let the Holy Spirit guide you. Don't get bogged down in the details of the prayer, but use it to stimulate an active conscience. (5 minutes)

"... return to me with all your heart ..." (Joel 2:12).

Loving Father, I am sorry for all the ways I have offended You, knowingly or unknowingly. I have sinned in thought, word and deed. I have sinned in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do. I come before You and ask for the grace of a deeply repentant heart. You know my innermost secrets. I open my heart to You today and ask You to show me the ways I have blocked the flow of Your love. Forgive me, Father, for all my sins, faults and failings. For all the times I have gone astray and not chosen life, I am deeply sorry. I repent of lack of faith, acting in fear instead of faith, unbelief in Your goodness, or lack of truly believing in Your love for me.

I ask forgiveness for sins against purity: lust, fornication, adultery, unclean books, movies and videos and sexual fantasies, especially _____________. I turn away from all those activities and I turn to You. I deeply repent of having an abortion or encouraging someone to have an abortion. Forgive me, Lord.

I repent of any compulsive, addictive behavior: drinking, drugs, gambling, sex, food and all addictions, especially ______________. Thank You, Father, for setting me free. I repent of not taking care of my physical and emotional health: lack of balance in nutrition, rest and exercise; perhaps the unhealthy suppression of emotions. I make a commitment today to take care of myself.

I'm sorry for the times I have hurt other people. I repent of any stealing, lying, deceiving and defrauding. I regret any lack of affirming others, brushing people off, coldness, unloving and inconsiderate behavior. I'm sorry for gossiping, betrayal of confidences and all breaches of faith. I repent of any envy, hatred, resentment, unforgiveness, jealousy, criticizing or judging others, not receiving love in the way it is offered, and withholding expressions of love. I especially ask forgiveness for __________________.

I bring before You now those areas that I am the most ashamed to bring to You; areas that I have hidden, such as certain personal habits, secret guilt, dark areas I have previously refused to bring to You. I bring You all areas about which I am the most ashamed, especially _________________. Lord, I will no longer hide them from You, or from myself. Today is my day of healing and liberation.

Loving Father, what else should I bring to You? (Be still and listen) For these offenses I beg pardon today. I accept Your forgiveness and now share Your forgiveness with others. Thank You, Lord, Amen.