58 CONFESS YOUR SIN AND THE SINS OF OTHERS.

Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God.

     —Daniel 9:20

Isn’t it enough that I confess my own sins? Why is it that I must also confess the sins of others?

Because in prayer we stand in the gap for others. Not only do our personal sins bind us; the corporate sins of our family, community, church and nation hinder us.

When you confess sin, begin with your own personal transgressions, but don’t stop there. Be cleansed of the corporate sins of those around you. Personal confession frees you to move around in your own territory, but what a small arena of power and influence that may be.

Corporate confession frees you to move into realms of intercession far beyond your personal sphere of influence. It moves you into warring against principalities and powers:

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:10–12).

Almighty God,

I confess my sins and the sins of my family, my church, my community, my nation.

I stand firm against the principalities and powers that would seek to bind us up and render us powerless.

I boldly put on the armor of God, standing firm against the evil one, praying for all the saints, declaring victory over every evil in Jesus’ name. Amen.