During Lent, the other fasts of the Church Year, and at other times, for example on namesdays or before important events, as regularly as possible, it is good to go to confession and take communion. As preparation for confession the following may be of help:<\/p>\n
Sins Against God<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you pray to God in the morning and evening, before and after meals? Sins Against Your Neighbours<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you respect and obey your parents? Have you offended them? Sins Against Yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n Have you been proud? Do you boast of your abilities, achievements, family, connections or riches? During Lent, the other fasts of the Church Year, and at other times, for example on namesdays or before important events, as regularly as possible, it is good to go to confession and take communion. As preparation for confession the following may be of help: Sins Against God Do you pray to God in the … <\/p>\n
\nHave you allowed your thoughts to wander during prayer?
\nHave you rushed your prayers?
\nDo you read the Scriptures daily? Do you have other spiritual readings regularly?
\nHave you read books of which the content is not Christian and spiritually damaging?
\nHave you pronounced the name of God without reverence? Have you asked for God\u2019s help before every activity?
\nHave you made the sign of the Cross carelessly, thoughtlessly? Have you sworn? Have you murmured against God? Have you sinned by forgetting God?
\nHave you been slack in attending church? Have you tried your best to attend Church?
\nIf unable to attend church for some reason, have you still tried to devote some part of these days to prayer and spiritual reading?
\nHave you kept the fasts? Have you behaved irreverently in church?
\nHave you laughed or talked in church, or moved about unnecessarily, thus distracting others from prayer? Have you dressed modestly in church?
\nHave you tried to pay attention to the readings, hymns, and prayers in Church?
\nHave you striven to pray with the service, crossing yourself, etc., or have you rather simply stood and day-dreamed?
\nHave you left Church after the Divine Services, and particularly after receiving communion and engaged in small talk, forgetting the blessings you have received?
\nHave you been ashamed of your Faith in the presence of others?
\nHave you made a show of piety? Have you used your Faith to belittle others?
\nHave you used it as an excuse rather than humbling yourself?
\nHave you believed in dreams, fortune telling, astrology, signs and other superstitions?
\nDo you give thanks to the Lord for all things?
\nHave you ever doubted God\u2019s providence concerning yourself?
\nDo you try to see His purpose in all things that come upon you?<\/p>\n
\nHave you insulted anyone? Have you quarrelled or fought with anyone?
\nAre you always respectful to old people?
\nAre you ever angry, bad-tempered or irritable?
\nHave you called anyone names? Do you use foul language?
\nHave you derided any that are disabled, poor, old or in some way disadvantaged?
\nHave you entertained bad feelings, ill will or hatred against anyone?
\nHaw you forgiven those who have offended you?
\nHave you asked forgiveness from those whom you have offended?
\nAre you at peace with everyone?
\nHave you left the needy without help when you could have helped?
\nHave you attended the sick or elderly when they have asked you to do so?
\nHave you shown kindness and attention to all?
\nHave you hit animals without a cause or been cruel to them?
\nHave you stolen anything?
\nHave you taken or used other people\u2019s things without asking?
\nHave you kept money or things that were lent to you without returning them?
\nHave you wasted your employer\u2019s time or resources? Have you taken things from work for your own use?
\nAre you obstinate and do you always try to have your own way?
\nHave you been inconsiderate of other people’s feelings?
\nHave you tried to have your revenge against those who have offended you?
\nHave you harboured resentment? Have you deceived people?
\nHave you gossiped? Have you told untruths?
\nHave you judged and condemned others?
\nHave you taken pains before approaching for confession to be reconciled with all?<\/p>\n
\nDo you consider yourself worthy before God?
\nAre you vain, ambitious? Do you try to win praise and glory?
\nDo you bear it easily when you are blamed, scolded or treated unjustly? Do you think too much about your looks, outward appearance and the impression you make?
\nHave you sinned in thought word or deed, by a look or glance, or in any other way against the Seventh Commandment?
\nHave you envied anyone anything? Have you been over-sensitive?
\nHave you been lazy? Have you done your duties heartily?
\nHave you wasted your time, energy or abilities in things that do not profit the soul?
\nHave you become obsessive about anything? Have you been despondent?
\nHave you had thoughts of committing suicide?
\nHave you brought a curse on yourself or others or ill-wished them, being impatient?
\nHave you a weakness for alcohol? Have you taken drugs? Have you smoked?
\nHave you watched television too much or indiscriminately? Have you given yourself up to any other similar pastime which wastes your time and energy?
\nHave you been greedy, either with regard to food or to possessions?
\nHave you been wasteful of food, forgetting that so many people are without proper nourishment? Have you been extravagant?
\nDo you care for and seek first the salvation of your soul, the spiritual life and the kingdom of God, or have you put worldly considerations in first place?
\nIs there any other sin, which burdens your conscience, or which you are ashamed to say?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"