For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You took away the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. Proverbs 28:13

We're too flawed and too challenged by history, circumstance, and chemistry to hoard grace for long.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. . . . If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. (1 John 4:10—15)

This one is so important! We'll let David, a man who certainly fell into sin after godliness, introduce it to us through his very private prayer. He wrote:

Nothing is unforgivable, thank God. But some things cannot be excused. They must be repented of and dramatically corrected and permanently changed.

Keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent, and cleansed from blatant rebellion. Psalm 19:13

Lord, show me anything in me that is not right in Your eyes so I can confess it before You, because I choose to live Your way." P

Your prayers may appear to go unanswered for many reasons. God may simply be giving you the answer that you are to wait. It could be that some sin in your life is clouding your communication with Him.

Dear Lord, I thank You that You listen to my prayers and that You answer, not according to my own goodness, but according to Yours. Help me to not let anything discourage me from coming to You in prayer—especially not my own sense that I am undeserving of Your attention and blessing. I come entirely because You are full of grace and mercy.

Confession has a "consequence" too—a good consequence! A free and happy heart!