Prayer Error?

 From “The Green Letters” by Miles Stanford,

“(A) common error is that of praying for forgiveness, instead of heeding the Word, confessing the sins, and receiving the assurance of forgiveness.”  (P131, emphasis added)

At first glance this may seem to be nit-picky. Is there really a difference between “forgiveness” and “confession”? Stanford goes on to elaborate that, as believers, we already have forgiveness. Christ said, “It is finished.”

We are not to abide (continue living) in our present condition (the way we feel) counting on help from God for our walk and service, but to realize our position (the fact of who we are) in order to become involved in the needs of this world.

Scripture urges us to agree with God and walk with Him, not pleading for something we already have.