Sin separates, but grace restores. When we come before God with humble hearts, He meets us not with condemnation, but with compassion. The Bible reminds us that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us” (1 John 1:9). No matter how far we’ve strayed or how deep our shame runs, His mercy runs deeper. Praying for forgiveness is not about rehearsing guilt — it’s about returning home. It’s the moment we allow His love to wash over our failures and His grace to rewrite our story.
In this prayer journey, let your heart open before God. He already knows every secret, every regret, and every tear, yet still calls you His own. The forgiveness He offers is not partial but complete — erasing every sin and restoring your peace. These 23 prayers, anchored in Scripture, will help you walk from guilt to grace, from brokenness to restoration. As you pray them, may you feel the Father’s arms around you, whispering, “You are forgiven. You are loved. You are Mine.”
23 Father Forgive Me For I Have Sinned Prayer
1. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession opens the door to cleansing. God’s forgiveness is not conditional on our perfection but on His faithfulness. When we bring our sins into His light, He washes us clean with mercy that never fails.
Lord, I confess my sins before You — known and unknown. Cleanse my heart and restore my spirit. Thank You for being faithful to forgive and for making me whole again through Your grace.
2. Psalm 51:1–2
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
David’s prayer for mercy shows the beauty of true repentance. Forgiveness flows not from deserving it, but from God’s overflowing compassion. His mercy doesn’t just cover sin; it erases its stain completely.
Father, have mercy on me. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from all sin. Let Your steadfast love restore what guilt and shame have broken within me.
3. Isaiah 1:18
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”
God’s forgiveness is total and transforming. No sin is too dark, no past too stained for His cleansing power. When He forgives, He makes all things new.
Lord, make me clean again. Take away every scar of sin and renew me with Your Spirit. Let the purity of Your forgiveness shine through me like fresh-fallen snow.
4. Luke 15:20–21
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion.”
The prodigal son’s story reminds us that repentance is always met with mercy. God runs toward us when we turn back to Him. His forgiveness restores relationship, not just removes guilt.
Father, I am returning home to You. Thank You for running to meet me with open arms. Restore the closeness we once had and teach me to walk daily in Your love.
5. Psalm 32:5
“I acknowledged my sin to you, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.”
Hiding sin breeds heaviness, but confession brings relief. The moment we admit our wrongdoing, God lifts the burden off our souls. His forgiveness is immediate and complete.
Lord, I acknowledge where I’ve fallen short. Thank You for removing the weight of my sin. Fill me with peace and help me live freely in Your forgiveness.
6. Proverbs 28:13
“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
Repentance is more than confession — it’s turning away from sin toward God’s truth. When we forsake old ways, mercy floods in. The humble heart always finds grace.
Father, I turn from my sin today. Forgive me and strengthen my will to walk in righteousness. Let Your mercy be my covering and Your Spirit my guide.
7. Acts 3:19
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Repentance clears the record. God doesn’t keep score; He wipes the slate clean. His forgiveness restores innocence and renews purpose.
Lord, I repent of every wrong thought, word, and action. Wipe my record clean and restore my joy. Let my life reflect the freedom found in Your forgiveness.
8. Micah 7:18–19
“He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot.”
God doesn’t just forgive—He forgets. His mercy tramples over our sin and casts it into the depths of the sea. His forgiveness liberates us from the chains of yesterday.
Father, thank You for casting my sins away forever. Help me not to live under guilt You’ve already removed. Teach me to forgive myself as You have forgiven me.
9. Hebrews 8:12
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Divine forgiveness is permanent. Once forgiven, our sins are erased from God’s memory. He doesn’t bring them up again — His mercy rewrites our story.
Lord, thank You for Your mercy that forgets my failures. Renew my heart to live in confidence, not condemnation. Let my gratitude express itself in obedience and love.
10. Psalm 103:10–12
“He does not deal with us according to our sins… as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
God’s mercy has no limits. His forgiveness doesn’t just lessen our guilt — it removes it completely. In His love, the past no longer defines us.
Father, I thank You for removing my sins beyond reach. Let Your forgiveness fill my soul with peace. Help me to forgive others as freely as You have forgiven me.
11. Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Condemnation chains us to the past, but forgiveness sets us free. Through Christ, we are no longer defined by failure but by grace. God’s renewal begins when shame ends.
Lord, I receive Your forgiveness today. Free me from every voice of condemnation and remind me that I am made new in Christ. Let Your grace define my identity from this day forward.
12. Matthew 6:14–15
“If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Forgiveness received must become forgiveness given. God’s mercy softens our hearts toward others and teaches us to love as we’ve been loved. True renewal comes when we release both guilt and grudges.
Father, help me to forgive those who have hurt me. As You’ve shown me mercy, let me extend the same. Fill my heart with compassion that reflects Your nature.
13. James 5:16
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
Confession brings both forgiveness and healing. When we open our hearts to God and others, grace flows freely. Forgiveness heals wounds the enemy meant to keep hidden.
Lord, teach me to be honest and humble about my struggles. Heal what sin has broken and renew my spirit through Your love. Make me whole again in Your mercy.
14. Isaiah 55:7
“Let the wicked forsake his way… let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him.”
No matter how far we’ve gone, the path back to God is always open. His compassion welcomes every repentant heart. Forgiveness is His invitation to begin again.
Father, I return to You fully today. Have compassion on me and restore my walk with You. Let Your mercy cover me and Your love renew my path.
15. John 8:11
“Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
Jesus doesn’t just forgive — He empowers. His words free us from condemnation and call us to live differently. Forgiveness leads to transformation, not repetition.
Lord, thank You for not condemning me. Help me walk in the freedom of Your forgiveness and resist the patterns of sin. Strengthen my spirit to honor You in all things.
16. Psalm 130:3–4
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness.”
None of us could stand under the weight of our sin, yet God’s forgiveness lifts us up. His grace is not earned — it’s freely given. Forgiveness reveals the depth of His love and mercy.
Lord, I stand before You by grace alone. Thank You for not counting my sins against me. Let Your forgiveness humble me and draw me closer to Your heart.
17. Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses.”
Forgiveness cost Jesus everything. Through His blood, we have been redeemed and restored. Our forgiveness is not a feeling — it’s a fact sealed by His sacrifice.
Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus that washes me clean. Let the reality of my forgiveness sink deep into my soul. Renew my gratitude and help me live worthy of Your grace.
18. Nehemiah 9:17
“But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
God’s forgiveness flows from His nature — He is always ready to forgive. His patience and compassion never run out, no matter how many times we fall. Renewal begins in the embrace of His steadfast love.
Lord, thank You for being a forgiving God. I come to You again, trusting Your mercy. Renew my heart and help me to walk faithfully in Your grace.
19. Colossians 1:13–14
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”
Forgiveness transfers us from darkness into light. It’s not just pardon — it’s a change of position and identity. We are no longer bound to our past but set free to live as children of light.
Father, thank You for delivering me from the darkness of sin. Let Your light fill every corner of my life. Renew my soul with the joy of belonging fully to You.
20. Daniel 9:9
“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him.”
Even in rebellion, God’s mercy is greater than our mistakes. He is not distant in our failures; He draws near with compassion. His forgiveness reminds us that His love is unconditional.
Father, thank You for forgiving me despite my disobedience. Cover me in Your mercy and restore my heart to obedience. Let Your love lead me back to the path of righteousness.
21. Psalm 86:5
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”
Forgiveness is rooted in God’s goodness. He doesn’t just forgive reluctantly — He delights in showing mercy. Anyone who calls on Him will find love without limits.
Lord, I call upon You for mercy today. Thank You for being so ready to forgive. Renew my heart with Your goodness and help me walk in the peace of Your love.
22. Mark 11:25
“Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone.”
Forgiveness received must flow outward. Holding grudges hinders renewal, but releasing them brings peace. When we forgive, we reflect the heart of the Father.
Lord, search my heart and reveal any bitterness I’ve held. Help me release it fully into Your hands. Renew my spirit through the freedom of forgiveness.
23. 1 Peter 2:24
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”
Forgiveness cost the Savior His life. Jesus bore our sins so that we could live free and righteous. His sacrifice turns guilt into gratitude and shame into sanctification.
Lord, thank You for bearing my sins on the cross. I accept the forgiveness You purchased for me. Help me to live a life worthy of Your sacrifice and filled with renewed purpose.
Conclusion
God’s forgiveness is the doorway to renewal. When we confess with sincerity, He not only pardons but restores. Each prayer becomes a step back into the light — a return to peace, freedom, and divine fellowship.
As you pray for forgiveness, remember that God’s mercy has no expiration. He loves you beyond your faults and is eager to begin again with you. Let His grace cleanse your heart, renew your mind, and remind you that in Christ, you are fully and forever forgiven.
