Prayers of Confession on Attacks

Adapted from Psalm 10 & Romans 7:21-25

Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand.

Forget not the afflicted.

We call to you in our sorrow and frustration,

Lord God, eternal, everlasting God.

Why do you stand so far off?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

You are our God, even if we have ignored you!

Arise, O Lord; O God, we cry to you.

It looks like evil is winning out.

Even in our own lives sin keeps winning the battles.

“So I find it to be a law, that when I want to do right,

Evil lies close at hand…making me captive to sin

…wretched man that I am.”

Have mercy on us, O God,

For we are sinners, captives to sin, enslaved by sin!

Hughes Oliphant Old. Leading in Prayer: A Workbook for Ministers (Kindle Locations 958-960).

Almighty God, harsh words and personal attacks can bring out the worst in us. We find ourselves spending energy on thoughts of retaliation and plans to protect ourselves. Father forgive us. We long to have the strength of Jesus, who did not return evil for evil. Let us be meek that we might inherit the earth.

Submitted by Laura Murray

Lord Jesus, you send us out into the world in your name, but we prefer to stay safely behind. We are nervous, and unmotivated, and uncertain.  We love to think about how you love us, but we are much more reluctant to show that love to others. It is especially hard to care for those who challenge, insult, or disrespect us. Strengthen us that we would live up to your call to love even our enemies. Forgive us for our sins, these and all others, as we continue to pray in silence…

Silent Prayer

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Submitted by Chip Hardwick