Question about repentance

[Eleknar]

When I ask God to forgive me of my sins do I have to know each and every sin I've committed between the last time I asked forgiveness and this time? I only ask because it seems like in order to repent of something you would have to know what it was in the first place. Does this make sense? I just want to know if it's ok to simply ask God to "Please forgive my sins" or if I have to list each individual sin. Thanks. God bless.
Kory

[calidog]

You don't need to list them. Repenting is actually turning away from those sins.

Ask God to give you a clear concience before Him.

[livingforGod135]

yeah ive wondered about that myself, i personally think that if you know what it is you've done then its good because, how are we going to strive to change it if we dont even know its a sin, but i can also see how it could be easy to not notice/forget because theres alot that is important that seems so little to us, so knowing that we have sinned (because we inevitably have- being human and all) we can repent of it, just seems like it would be harder to change

[amadeus2]

"But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:" Matt 3:7-8

I believe that the 'fruits' that John the Baptist speak of here is the right attitude. Having an attitude to turn away from all of our sins and sinful ways is more important than listing every sin. As has been said, listing every sin may well be impossible. But...coming to God with the right attitude will make the difference. [Note that another word for 'attitude' is 'spirit'. If we have it, it will not hurt to come to Him in His own Spirit.]

[tturt]

Each and every sin - don't we serve an awesome God! "1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Also, we do have to receive His forgiveness; otherwise, we can't move forward in our relationship with Him. Condemnation is from the enemy

As far as having to say the individual sins when confessing, I have found this to be true. After you ask the Lord to forgive you then ask Him to bring to your attention the sins He wants you to repent of, they will come - one at a time.

[Zecryphon]

When I ask God to forgive me of my sins do I have to know each and every sin I've committed between the last time I asked forgiveness and this time? I only ask because it seems like in order to repent of something you would have to know what it was in the first place. Does this make sense? I just want to know if it's ok to simply ask God to "Please forgive my sins" or if I have to list each individual sin. Thanks. God bless.
Kory
It is not possible to list each sin we commit, they are indeed too numerous. Ask forgiveness for the ones that you can remember, but I find that the blanket statement "forgive me of my sins" will cover every one of them. Because even though we can not remember all of our sins, God does. The act of repentance is proof of a right relationship with God. It shows that you know you have done wrong in His sight and wish to be brought into a right relationship with Him once again. Unregenerate people do not do this. They sin and keep right on sinning. There is no conflict, no guilt, and no knowledge of the law that exposes them as sinners. Repent in sincerity and God will forgive you.

[Eleknar]

Thank you all for your help. God bless.

Kory