A Guide to Confession

The practice of living the life in Christ: fasting, vigil lamps, head-coverings, family life, icon corners, and other forms of Orthopraxy. All Forum Rules apply. No polemics. No heated discussions. No name-calling.
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Maria
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A Guide to Confession

Post by Maria »

http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/guide-to-confession.aspx

Father Stephen Fraser highly recommends this Guide to Confession.

The conclusion of this guide states:

  • He who is accustomed to give account of his life at confession here will not fear to give an answer at the terrible judgment-seat of Christ. It is for this purpose that the mild tribunal of penitence was here instituted, in order that we, being cleansed and amended through penitence here below, may give an answer without shame at the terrible judgment-seat of Christ. This is the first motive for sincere confession, and, moreover, it must absolutely be made every year. The longer we remain without confessing, the worse it is for us, the more entangled we become in the bonds of sin, and therefore the more difficult it is to give an account. The second motive is tranquility: the more sincere has been our confession, the more tranquil will the soul be afterwards. Sins are secret serpents, gnawing at the heart of a man and all his being; they do not let him rest, they continually suck his heart; sins are prickly thorns, constantly goring the soul; sins are spiritual darkness. Those who repent must bring forth the fruits of repentance.

    Consciousness, memory, imagination, feeling, and will are helps to penitence. As we sin with all the powers of our soul, so penitence must be from our whole soul. Penitence in words only, without the intention of amendment and without the feeling of contrition, may be called hypocritical. Should the consciousness of sins be obscured, it must be cleared up; should the feeling be smothered and dulled, it must be roused; should the will become blunt and too weak for amendment, it must be forced; "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force." (St. Matt. 11:12) Confession must be sincere, deep, and full.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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Maria
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Re: A Guide to Confession

Post by Maria »

Here is a prayer that is recommended before Holy Confession:

Prayer Before Confession

  • O Father, Lord of heaven and earth,

    I confess to Thee, all the hidden and open sins

    of my heart and mind,

    which I have committed unto this present day;

    wherefore I beg of Thee,

    the righteous and compassionate Judge,

    remission of sins and

    the grace to sin no more.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

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