What is the required heartfelt seeking of forgiveness, and is it necessary to renew the intention with every word of seeking forgiveness?

Seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) is a great act of worship. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sought forgiveness more than seventy times in a single sitting. It brings good things and repels evil, as mentioned in Surah (definition) Nuh. Complete Istighfar involves the heart aligning with the tongue and sincere repentance, which leads to the forgiveness of sins. As for merely seeking forgiveness with the tongue without repentance, it is a supplication that Allah may or may not answer. The presence of the heart during Istighfar is more complete and more likely to be accepted. A servant should strive to achieve this and not abandon Istighfar under the pretext of not having his heart present.