I keep this Scripture near my computer so that I can pray it regularly. It reminds me of the connection between our sins and our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. And it encourages me to be quick to confess my sins to the Lord, and to receive His forgiveness and cleansing.

The fact is that confession of our sins needs to be continual because of our continual wrongdoing. Real sorrow for our sins involves our struggling against them, instead of getting comfortable with them. Psalm 66:18 (AMP) says, "If I regard sin and baseness in my heart [that is, if I know it is there and do nothing about it], the Lord will not hear [me]." We have to remember that our attitude about sin will not only affect our health, but it will also affect our prayers. Proverbs confirms this when it says, "If you close your heart and refuse to listen to God's instruction, even your prayer will be despised." (Proverbs 28:9 TPT) Scriptures like these can be hard to hear, but they are there because a loving God wants us to receive His best in every area of our lives.

When we refuse to repent for our sins, or we cherish certain ungodly habits or behaviors, our fellowship with God is greatly hindered. His precious promise to us is First John 1:9 (NKJV): "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The Lord doesn't expect us to remember every sin we have ever committed, but when His Spirit brings them to mind, we should promptly and sincerely confess them, so that our intimate fellowship with Him can be restored.

King David prayed: "How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don't let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin." (Psalm 19:12-13 NLT) I memorized these verses years ago, so that I could pray them regularly. It grieves me that I am not even aware of many of my sins, and I want to express to the Lord continually how much I desire to please Him. David's next verse in this psalm is another good one for us to pray: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." (v. 14) Perhaps you are struggling with health issues today, or even an ungodly habit that is plaguing you. Seek the Lord about any possible sin in your life, and let Him lead you along His perfect pathway of victory, wholeness, and freedom!

Prayer: Lord, I don't want anything to come between us, so I ask that You show me today what sins may be hindering my prayers and my fellowship with You. I repent for my sins, and I ask that You cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Empower me by Your Spirit to obey You in every area of my life. Thank You that as I serve You with wholehearted devotion, I will experience the abundant life You promised me in Christ!