How do we apologize to God for our past sins or evils? In the Tip of the Writing Brush (Ofudesaki), it states that God does not accept our verbal apologies for our past sins or evils. It is the determination not to act in the same manner when confronted with the same temptations, that God accepts as our apology. Words have less influence in contrast to action. To act joyously when confronted with the unexpected is what God accepts.
Words of apology have less influence on God because most of us have less faith, and are weak when confronted with temptation, stress, and sufferings. We may praise God, and ask God for forgiveness of our past evils; but when confronted with temptation, and stress, we may continue to follow the same evil path. It is only when we change our behavior that God will accept as an apology of our past sins or evils. Show God by your actions that you have eliminated greed, arrogance, and self-love from your minds. Then God will bless you!