1 John 1:9 gives us God's promise - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful & just to forgive us [our] sins & cleanse us from all unrighteousness (wrongness).

It follows, that if we don't confess our sins, He can't forgive our sins. To confess means we acknowledge we have sinned & aware that we have done wrong.

But an even more important step is, we must have the desire to change how we think (change our mind) & our ways about any untruth we believed or anything we were doing wrong ... we must want to repent.

After God receives your repentance & confession He cleanses you so that the Holy Spirit can again work in you - to receive the Spirit of Love.

Today, it seems that too many are striving to please God by effort & works & seem oblivious to their need to repent.

In Matt 3:2 John the Baptist preached "Repent! (for the Kingdom of God is at hand!)"
In Matt 4:17 Jesus preaches "Repent!"
In Acts 2:38 the Holy Spirit came with the same message - Then Peter said unto them, "repent, & be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins & you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As you know, soon after 3000 people were saved & soon after Peter preached again & 5000 people were saved.

Now that is revival - I see that as the way we should go. Let us follow the examples & commands given to us.