Repentance prayer: turning back to God after sin
Honest sorrow for sin and trust in the Father who runs to meet us
Morning Prayer editorial team · Updated: November 2026
Repentance is not wallowing in guilt; it is turning around and walking home. Pray this repentance prayer when you know you have sinned and want to come back to God, before Confession or whenever your conscience wakes you in the night.
Let us pray
Merciful Father, I have sinned against You. I am not going to make excuses or hide behind the things other people did. I chose what I knew was wrong: (name it honestly). I am sorry, not mainly because I was caught or because I feel bad, but because You are good and I turned away from You.
Like the prodigal son, I have been standing in a far country, counting what I have lost. Now I turn around. I know You have already seen me on the road, because You are the Father who runs. I do not ask to be treated as a hired servant; I ask to be Your child again.
Lord Jesus, You said You came not for the healthy but for the sick. I am sick with pride, with laziness, with lust, with anger, with the small lies that have become habits. Lay Your hands on the places I would rather not show You. Wash me in the Blood You shed on the cross, which was shed for exactly this.
Holy Spirit, give me a repentance that goes deeper than words. Show me whom I have hurt and give me the courage to make it right. Break the pattern that leads me back to the same sin. Lead me to Confession soon, and let me hear the words of absolution as Your own voice.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your presence. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and I will tell others how merciful You are. Amen.
Blessing
May the Father who runs to meet the returning child embrace you today, and may you walk away lighter, forgiven, and free.
How to pray this prayer
- Find a quiet moment and breathe slowly.
- Read the prayer aloud or in your heart.
- Add your own intention before the Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between repentance and guilt?
Guilt looks at myself and my failure; repentance looks at God and turns toward Him. Guilt can paralyze, while true repentance leads to action: confessing, making amends, and changing direction. The devil wants us stuck in guilt; God wants us walking home.
Do I still need to go to Confession if I pray this?
Yes. For serious (mortal) sin, the Church asks us to receive God's forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A sincere prayer of repentance prepares the heart for Confession and is itself pleasing to God, but the sacrament gives the certainty of absolution.
How often should I pray a prayer of repentance?
Many Catholics make a short examination of conscience and act of repentance every night. Praying it also before Mass, before Confession, and whenever you become aware of a fall keeps the heart soft and close to God.
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