Repentance prayer is Biblical. The Book of Psalms has many beautiful examples of prayers of repentance. The most impactful repentance prayer in scripture could possibly be the prayer of David in Psalm 51. This repentance prayer has been traditionally prayed before confession. The prayer will help you get the right disposition before you approach the confessional to publicly confess your sins to the priest.
He who hates correction walks the sinner's path, but he who fears the LORD repents in his heart.
A Repentance Prayer is Medicine to the Soul
The heaviness of sin and the isolation that it brings your soul is suffocating. Evil is the absence of God and sin is a mechanism that separates you from Him especially. Confession offers us a chance to renew our lives. If you have sin and are afraid to confess, begin with a repentance prayer while in adoration. Ask the Lord to reveal to you your sins. Ask for the grace to make a true confession. Do not be afraid. God is merciful and He forgives the repentant sinner.
Be ashamed when you sin, don't be ashamed when you repent. Sin is the wound, repentance is the medicine. Sin is followed by shame; repentance is followed by boldness. Satan has overturned this order and given boldness to sin and shame to repentance.
Repentance Prayer
O Almighty and most merciful God, Who has made me out of nothing, and redeemed me by the precious Blood of Thy only Son; Who has borne with me to this day with so much patience, notwithstanding my sins and ingratitude, behold me, O Lord, prostrate at Thy feet to implore Thy forgiveness. I desire most sincerely to leave all my evil ways, to forsake this region of death where I have so long lost myself, and to return to Thee, the Fountain of life. I desire, like the prodigal child, to enter seriously into myself, and with the like resolutions to rise without delay and go home to my Father, though I am infinitely unworthy to be called His child, in hopes of meeting with the like reception from His most tender mercy.
I know thou desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he may be converted and live. I know Thy mercies are above all Thy works; and I most confidently hope, that as in Thy mercy Thou hast spared me so long, and hast now given me this desire of returning to Thee, so Thou wilt finish the work Thou hast begun, and bring me to a perfect reconciliation with Thee.
I desire now to comply with Thy holy institution of the Sacrament of Penance. I desire to confess my sins with all sincerity to Thee and to Thy minister, and therefore I desire to know myself and to call myself to account by a diligent examination of my conscience.
But, O good God, what will it avail me to know my sins, if Thou dost not also give me a hearty sorrow and repentance for them? Without this, my sins will be all against me still, and I shall be Thine enemy and a child of hell. Thou insists upon a change of heart, without which there can be no reconciliation with Thee; and this change of heart none but Thou canst give. Oh! give it to me, then, dear Lord, at this time. Give me a lively faith and a firm hope in the Passion of my Redeemer. Teach me to fear Thee and to love Thee. Give me, for Thy mercy’s sake, a heavy sorrow for having offended so good a God.
O blessed Virgin, Mother of my Redeemer, mirror of innocence and sanctity, and refuge of penitent sinners, intercede for me, through the Passion of Thy Son, that I may obtain the grace to make a good confession. O, all you blessed Angels and Saints of God, pray for me, a most miserable sinner, that I may now effectually turn from my evil ways, that my heart may henceforward be forever united with yours in eternal love, and never more go astray from the sovereign Good.
Amen
Use the Confession Guide for Catholics page on our website to help you examine your conscience ahead of time before making a sacramental Confession in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Learn More about Repentance
Print a good guide to confession by the Knights of Columbus.
Pray the confiteor prayer after confession.
More Prayers of Repentance
The Bondage of Sin Prayer, St. John Henry Newman
This meditative prayer by St. John Henry Newman is a prayer of repentance asking for grace to overcome sinful habits.
The Chaplet of the Five Holy Wounds of Jesus Prayer
The Chaplet of the Five Holy Wounds meditates on the 5 wounds of Jesus Christ. This prayer on the 5 wounds of Jesus has been in practice for centuries. The chaplet reflects on Christ’s passion and suffering for you, and how your personal sin has wounded Him.
Jesus My Redeemer: a Prayer of Praise
“Jesus My Redeemer” is a prayer of praise repentance and love for private devotion. It begins: “My God, my most gracious good, I beg You to give me the grace to accept the gift You have freely offered me.”
Surrender Novena Prayer of Abandonment to the Will of God
“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!” The Surrender Novena prayer was written by Servant of God Don Dolindo Ruotolo.
Dear Jesus Prayer of Repentance after Sinning Against God
“Dear Jesus” is a prayer of repentance for sinning against God and also a prayer of reparation for loved ones in our life away from God and for all sinners.