8. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].
9. [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. The Amplified Bible

As those who are far from God, those who are sinners, take a step toward God and draw near to Him, He will draw near to them.  He’s not saying those whose hands and hearts are dirty need to cleanse themselves before they can come to God, but rather to draw near to Him realizing their hands and hearts (actions and motives) are impure.  Rather than laughter and joy, they are to have repentance and mourning over their sin (The thing is, God will draw sinners to Himself and attempt to reveal His goodness to them and draw them to Himself even before they desire Him).

James is saying that a sinner needs to come to the point where he / she recognizes his/her sin and begins to desire to please God instead.  To repent and mourn over the areas he has fallen short and displeased God.  As he draws near to God in this way the Lord will draw near to Him.

We all must come to the point where we recognize sin is wrong and desire to change.  When we do, God is right there for us.  He has done all that needed to be done to provide for our forgiveness by sending Jesus Christ.  Now it’s time for us to receive what He’s given to us.

Confession:

I draw near to God.  I repent of my impure actions or motivation in my life.  I am truly sorry for any area I’ve displeased God.  Father God, I draw near to you, knowing You draw near to me.