Prayers of Confession on Contentment

Gracious God, we confess that we are often dissatisfied with our lives. We recognize the gap that exists between what we are and what we want to be. Lord, like the woman at the well, we know our failures, and we feel guilty because You know them. We feel shame because others also know. Grant that we may hear and believe the Good News, that in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are loved in spite of our failures, forgiven in spite of our guilt, and accepted in spite of our shame. Inspire us by Your love and grace and grant us the spiritual strength
to follow and serve You. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Loving father, you promise the most amazing things. You give us an inheritance, you adopt us as your sons and daughters, you say you will never leave us nor forsake us, and you say that nothing can separate us from your love. So why isn’t that enough? Why do we look elsewhere for our self-worth and contentment? Why can’t we trust you at your word? Please help us to see ourselves as you do today. We approach you in gratitude, confident of your love as we silently confess our sins to you now…   

Austin D. Hill

Living God, Today I confess that I allow my fear to drown out Your voice. I am afraid of the unknown and things outside my control. Help me hand these items over to you every hour of the day. Help me be quiet and still, waiting for Your will to be revealed rather than running ahead of You. Keep my heart open to the Spirit’s working. Remind me that I have daily bread from Heaven and a safe shelter in You when I am tempted to look elsewhere for hope and help. Through the power of the Lord Jesus, Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Disturb us, O Lord, when

We are too pleased with ourselves,

When our dreams have come true

Because we dreamed too little,

When we arrived safely

Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, O Lord, when

With the abundance of things we possess

We have lost our thirst

For the waters of life;

Having fallen in love with life,

We have ceased to dream of eternity

And in our efforts to build a new earth,

We have allowed our vision

Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, O Lord, to dare more boldly,

To venture on wilder seas

Where storms will show Your mastery;

Where losing sight of land, We shall find the stars.

Source Unknown

Holy God, we come to You confessing that we never have enough. We are never satisfied with what You have given us. We look at others with envy and we want more, even when our homes are overflowing with stuff. We think we are in need when really we are just in want. We cling tightly to our things, hoping they will bring us security. Help us to realize that our privileged lives are often a burden and a hindrance to Kingdom living. Show us what it means to live in complete submission to You and Your purposes. May we hold tightly only to You. You are everything we need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

God of grace and mercy, You know us better than we know ourselves. You know we are often discontent, despite having received the blessings You provide.  You know we cling to comfort and control and lose sight of the values of Your Kingdom. Forgive our self-centered sinfulness. Remind us that our true worth, purpose, and contentment is found in You. Strengthen us, by the power of Your Spirit, to live lives of gratitude and obedience. We seek to love and serve You without reservation. In the Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church