Thanks for the question. No, one does not have to come
forward to the front of the church to repent of their sins. Repentance is a change
of heart or mind about the sin. It takes place inside the mind or heart of the
individual. It is that decision to turn things around. In the story of the prodigal son,
he repented when he came to himself and said, "This will I do. I will arise and go to
my father and say to my father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I'm no more
worthy to be called your son. Make me a hired servant." The result of the repentance
was, "He arose and went to His father's house."
Coming to the front of the church building for prayer is a matter of
convenience or expediency. In James 5:16 we are told to "Confess our faults one to
another and pray one for another that we may be healed. The effectual furvent prayer of a
righteous man avails much." For the church to know you want their prayers requires
your confession. It is a way of asking for prayers and letting everyone know your decision
to change. It is not demanded anywhere in Scripture.
I hope this is helpful.