(Remember, it is not a legalistic guideline to follow, just something to enhance and bless your walk with God. These are His days, His appointed times, and while we are not bound by them to keep them in a legalistic sense, we are certainly blessed as we draw near to God through them and observe them in our own Spirit-led way. Love you!)
Heidler writes:
"When the Day of Atonement comes, set a time and place where you know you can be alone with God, undisturbed, for at least an hour. For many, the best time will be just before bed at night, or early in the morning.
As you come before the Lord, bring your Bible, a pen, and paper. Begin by reading Psalms 32 and 51, where David shares his testimony of confessing sin. Thank God for His love and as His Spirit to minister to you.
Next, ask God to bring to mind any sins He wants you to confess. Pray as David did, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me" (Psalm 139:23). As God brings your sins to mind, write them down. Make a list of your sins. When God stops bringing sins to mind, as Him, "Is there anything else?"
As He shows you more sins, write them down also. Write down every sin He shows you. Don't be in a hurry and don't try to make excuses. If you can't fit all of your sins on one sheet of paper, use a second sheet. The goal is to make your list as complete as possible.
The third step is confession. When you feel your list is complete, pray carefully through the list, confessing and renouncing each sin.
In 1 John 1:9, God assures us if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we come into agreement with God about our sin, He restores us. We are forgiven and cleansed.
The blood of Jesus has already paid the price for every sin in your life. Before you even existed, God loved you so much He took the penalty for your sin upon Himself. As we come before Him in humility to confess our sin, God applies the "Atoning Sacrifice" of Jesus to our lives and restores us to full fellowship with Him.
When you have prayed over every item on your list, confessing every sin, there is one more step. Take your sheet of paper, listing all the sins you have confessed, turn the paper sideways and write across the list in BOLD letters the promise of 1 John 1:9. Thank God that every sin is no confessed and forgiven!
Now take that list, tear it up, and destroy it. Don't show your list to anyone. As you tear up your list, you will experience what the Israelites experienced when they watched the second goat led away into the wilderness. You will be assured that God has dealt with your sins and that your defilement has been taken away!
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