1 John 1:9

But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

Nehemiah puts this truth into practice as he confesses the sins of Israel. Daniel does the same in Daniel 9:4-19. Confessing our sins paves the way for God's favor and the miraculous in our lives, just as it did for Nehemiah, Daniel, and many others. The knowledge that God hears our confession and offers forgiveness for our sins does not give us the right to presume upon the cross and live however we want to live apart from the love of Christ. Christ gave His life so that we could have eternal life through Him, and so that we would abide in Him. He gave everything so that we would realize that He is everything for us, and through Him be reconciled to God. Confession communicates our desperate need for a Savior, and comes only from a heart that is being made right before the Lord.