I, a sinful soul, confess to our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, all of my evil acts which I have done, said or thought from baptism even unto this present day.

I have not kept the vows of my baptism, but have made myself unwanted before the face of God.

I have sinned before the Lord by lack of faith and by doubts concerning the Orthodox Faith and the Holy Church; by ungratefulness for all of God’s great and unceasing gifts; His long-suffering and His providence for me, a sinner; by lack of love for the Lord, as well as fear, through not fulfilling the Holy Commandments of God and the canons and rules of the Church.

I have not preserved a love for God and for my neighbor nor have I made enough efforts, because of laziness and lack of care, to learn the Commandments of God and the precepts of the Holy Fathers.

I have sinned: by not praying in the morning and in the evening and in the course of the day; by not attending the services or by coming to Church only half-heartedly, lazily and carelessly; by conversing during the services, by not paying attention, letting my mind wander and by departure from the Church before the dismissal and blessing.

I have sinned by judging members of the clergy.

I have sinned by not respecting the Feasts, breaking the Fasts, and by immoderation in food and drink.

I have sinned by self-importance, disobedience, willfulness, self-righteousness, and the seeking of approval and praise.

I have sinned by unbelief, lack of faith, doubts, despair, despondency, abusive thoughts, blasphemy and swearing.

I have sinned by pride, a high opinion of my self, narcissism, vanity, conceit, envy, love of praise, love of honors, and by putting on airs.

I have sinned: by judging, malicious gossip, anger, remembering of offenses done to me, hatred and returning evil for evil; by slander, reproaches, lies, slyness, deception and hypocrisy; by prejudices, arguments, stubbornness, and an unwillingness to give way to my neighbor; by gloating, spitefulness, taunting, insults and mocking; by gossip, by speaking too much and by empty speech.

I have sinned by unnecessary and excessive laughter, by reviling and dwelling upon my previous sins, by arrogant behavior, insolence and lack of respect.

I have sinned by not keeping my physical and spiritual passions in check, by my enjoyment of impure thoughts, licentiousness and unchastity in thoughts, words and deeds.

I have sinned by lack of endurance towards my illnesses and sorrows, a devotion to the comforts of life and by being too attached to my parents, children, relatives and friends.

I have sinned by hardening my heart, having a weak will and by not forcing myself to do good.

I have sinned by miserliness, a love of money, the acquisition of unnecessary things and immoderate attachment to things.

I have sinned by self-justification, a disregard for the admonitions of my conscience and failing to confess my sins through negligence or false pride.

I have sinned many times by my Confession: belittling, justifying and keeping silent about sins.

I have sinned against the Most-holy and Life-creating Mysteries of the Body and Blood of our Lord by coming to Holy Communion without humility or the fear of God.

I have sinned in deed, word and thought, knowingly and unknowingly, willingly and unwillingly, thoughtfully and thoughtlessly, and it is impossible to enumerate all of my sins because of their multitude. But I truly repent of these and all others not mentioned by me because of my forgetfulness and I ask that they be forgiven through the abundance of the Mercy of God.

Preparation for Confession

Here are some aids in preparing for her confession and I found in my files the following which I have given to parishioners at times to help them prepare. This comes from no single source but is drawn from a number of places.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
Thou shalt not make any graven image, or bow down before any
creation in heaven or on earth.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet that which is thy neighbors.
——————————————————————————–

COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHURCH

To abstain for servile work on Sundays and Holy Days.
To attend Divine Liturgy on Sundays and Holy Days.
To fast and to abstain on the days appointed by the Church.
To confess our sins and to receive the Holy Mysteries regularly
Not to solemnize marriage at forbidden times.
To pray to God every day, especially at morning and evening.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS

Pride
Covetousness
Lust
Anger
Gluttony
Envy
Sloth

ACCESSORIES TO SIN

By counseling, by commanding, by consenting, by provoking another to sin; by praise of flattery, by concealment, by silence, or by defending that which is wrong.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF TO PREPARE FOR CONFESSION

Have you prayed to God upon rising and before eating and sleeping?
During prayer were you distracted by other thoughts?
Did you make the sign of the Cross carelessly?
Have you attended Church services regularly?
When in Church, have you been inattentive, laughed or talked
unnecessarily?
Have you used the name of the Lord in swearing or in a joking
way?
Have you sworn or murmured against God?
Have you been ashamed to make the sign of the Cross in front
of others?
Have you attended parties, movies, etc. during the hours of
Church services?
Have you failed to keep the fast or other rules of the Church?
Have you believed in astrology, superstitions, fortune-tellers
or the like?
Have you strayed from the teachings of the Church by unbelief
or indifference to the Faith?
Have you failed to ask for God’s help in every effort?
Have you concealed sins at confession?
Do you show your parents proper respect? Have you been rude
to them, talked back or otherwise offended them?
If your parents are reposed, have you prayed for them.
Have you been disrespectful to members of the clergy, your
elders, teachers or superiors?
Have you been angry or irritated?
Have you abused anyone? Used foul language? Struck someone?
Offended someone in an argument?
Have you raised your voice in anger?
Have you joked or made fun of the handicapped, unfortunate,
or elderly?
Are you truly at peace with everyone?
Have you asked forgiveness of those you may have offended?
Have you failed to give aid to someone in need, especially
when asked?
Have you donated to the needs of the Church?
Have you been cruel to animals?
Have you taken something without asking?
Have you failed to return a book or other thing that you have
borrowed?
Have you been stubborn, insistent on pressing your point of
view?
Have you plotted or taken revenge on one who’s offended you?
Have you told falsehoods, distorted the truth, cheated, judged
others or gossiped?
Have you joked of the faults of others, or exposed the faults
of another to make yourself the better?
Have you been vain? Sought glory or praise for yourself?
Does your inner peace disappear when others are unfair to
you or judge you?
Are you proud? Do you brag of your abilities, position or
possessions? Do you consider yourself worthy or sinless in the
sight of God?
Have you been overly concerned with your appearance? Are you
properly attired in God’s house?
The 7th commandment includes all sins of a sexual nature,
either by thought, word, or deed, any of these must be confessed.
Have you been envious of another’s possessions, appearance
or standing?
Have you fulfilled all obligations faithfully? Have you been
lazy?
Have you been impatient? Fallen into despair or apathy? Had
thoughts of suicide?
Are you attached to smoking, alcohol, or other drugs? Food
or drink?
Do you give up your heart to money or other earthly possessions?

Prayer is a specific activity that must be a part of a person’s life. It is, as the catechism says, “a lifting of the mind and heart to God.” It is a talking with God, and a listening to Him. It is communion with God in the most direct, experiential way. Christians must pray. We cannot substitute anything in the place of prayer. We cannot think that prayer is “anything good that we do” in the sense of replacing the actual act of prayer about which Christ spoke when He said: “When you pray, go into your room and close the door, and pray in secret…” Although everything good done by man glorifies God, the specific activity of prayer must be retained and perfected.   [Read more...]