“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

If God has forgiven us forgiven our since because of Christ’s death, why must we confess our sins? In admitting our sins and receiving Christ’s cleansing, we are: (1) agreeing with God that our sin truly is sin and that we are willing to turn from it, (2) ensuring that we don’t conceal our sins from him and consequently from ourselves, and (3) recognizing our tendency to sin and relying on his power to overcome it

(Taken from NIV Life Application Study Bible)

Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 3:14

Have you ever grown tired of praying for something or someone? Paul says we should “devote” ourselves to prayer and be “watchful” in prayer. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God answers our prayers. Faith shouldn’t die if the answers come slowly, for the delay may be God’s way of working his will in our lives. When you feel tired of praying, know that God is present, always listening, always answering- maybe not in the ways you had hoped, but in ways that he knows are best.