Prayers of Confession on Criticism

Creator God, you created us in your image. You are three in one. From before time began, you existed in perfect communion. Yet day by day, we choose not to live into your image. We choose division, pointing out others’ wrongs, and arguing. Please remind us of our need for one another as we silently confess our sins to you now…

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

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

Lord Almighty, you tell us that if we have a quarrel with another, we are to make amends before coming to worship. We seek your mercy today – for all of us live at odds with others to varying degrees. Some of us find it difficult to forgive, others of us believe ourselves better than others, while still others simply do not associate with people who have hurt us. Call us to action today. As we seek your forgiveness, equip us to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness from others. Hear us, now, as we silently confess our sins to you. 

 Time of silent reflection. 

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

Contempt, a Prayer of Confession

 Contempt is so painful

To be dismissed, disregarded

Questioning instead of dignity

Accusation instead of personhood

I have felt its sting and hollowness

As have you, my Jesus

Help me hear the needed messages

Help me let go of what isn’t true or helpful

Heal my wound

Time of silent confession

I have wielded the weapon of contempt fully conscious of its destructive power

I have launched it from conditioning, in ignorance and reaction

You never have, my Jesus

Forgive me and heal all I have hurt

Make my ways like yours, my Jesus

Deliver me from a spirit of judgment, criticism, and contempt

Help me see all as you see them- beloved and needed

Especially those who are hard to love

Time of silent prayer

I am most ashamed of aiming contempt at you, my Jesus

For rejecting you, judging you

Making demands of you

I am so very sorry

Forgive me, renew me, abide in me so there is

More of my true me

More of you and your ways

More of your grace extended through me

For the healing of the world

Time of silent prayer

Contempt, a prayer of confession © 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com