Private Confession & Prayer
June 2nd, 2009 by J.W.M.
“Since saving power comes from Christ alone, it has seemed increasingly important to me of late to emphasize to those under conviction of sin that they retire and pray privately in coming to Christ. My reasons for this are twofold: First, prayer in private makes it more difficult for people to use the counselor as a priest and hopefully brings them to rely on Christ alone for salvation; and second, prayer alone brings the glory of Christ into sharp focus by moving the counselor out of the sinner’s line of vision.
Later, when repentant sinners recall their turning to Christ, they will have things on a solid basis. They will find their confidence in Christ and the gospel, not in the presence or absence of another person, and spontaneously they will give the Lord of glory credit for what He has done through the gospel message.”
(C. John Miller, Repentance, p. 82)
