Prayers of Confession on Evangelism
Adapted from Acts 10:34-43
Pastor: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Submitted by Dustin Ray
You are the God who sends; the Father sent the Son, the Father and Son sent the Spirit, and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit us, the church. We are sorry for the times when you’ve sent us and we have not obeyed. Please give us the courage to follow your commands as we silently confess our sins to you now.…
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
(Prayer of Adoration)
Good morning, Father. While we slept last night – You were awake, sustaining our world, protecting us and readying a new day.
Jesus – You hold us in the palms of Your hands: strong hands, compassionate hands, firm hands, healing hands, hands that heal, hands that are nail-scarred still, now and forever, such is the duration of Your love.
And Spirit – our Comforter, generous and powerful: You gift and equip us with all things necessary to live today for Your glory [Father, Son and Holy Spirit] and to our joy.
We praise You for who You are; we thank You for all Your good gifts to us … and we look forward to when You’ll return to clean up the mess and take us home.
(Prayer of Confession)
Yet, if we’re honest, we don’t live anticipating Your Advent arrival with joy and gratitude. We’ve got too many things we want to experience. We subtly say, “Lord – not yet; not until I get what I want, or do what I want.” We live unprepared for Your coming. We care more for ourselves than for others. Our eyes are closed to another’s pain and our hearts break over the wrong things – a lost football game rather than a lost soul, a lost child or a lost city.
I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word[d] with greater boldness and without fear. Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Loving and faithful God, You save and sustain us. What marvelous good news You give us through Jesus! Yet we are oblivious to opportunities to share Your grace and love. We fail to see, as Your Word says, “The fields are ripe for harvesting.” Forgive us for our reluctance and our lack of vision. Open our eyes to Your reality: That our family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors here at home and around the world need Jesus. Then give us the courage and the opportunity to tell them about You and to trust You for the results. In Christ’s Name we pray. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Merciful God, you have moved and changed our lives in amazing ways, yet we have kept these stories to ourselves. We confess the times we have kept these stories to ourselves out of fear of rejection and misunderstanding. Help us believe that your good news of grace is the best story to tell. May we then tell it with love, joy, and courage.
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
Heavenly Father, we confess that we are unable to do all the work that you wish for us to do. We are held back by our own desires and our own apprehensions. We know that you make us bearers of your image and ambassadors of your Word, but we too often serve ourselves and not you. Forgive us and redeem us, so that we may grow closer to you. Guide us as people and as a church to reveal Jesus’s sacrifice and generous love through our gifts. We pray these things in his name, and we ask that you receive our continued confession in silence…
Submitted by Allen Thompson
Lord, your love is remarkable. Despite our ongoing sin, You have graciously pursued us, forgiven us, and saved us. We confess that sharing Your saving love is sometimes intimidating. Forgive us for being paralyzed in fear instead of confidently sharing Christ with those around us. Stir your love and compassion within our hearts. Give us courage to share the story of Your grace with those who don’t yet know Jesus. Lord, we are indeed new in Christ. Help us to live as salt and light so that we may bring God’s love and goodness to our communities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Dear Lord, we are so grateful that we have found our home in Your church. We have been forever changed by the new identity You give us as forgiven and beloved children, and we are refreshed again and again as we dive deeper into Christian fellowship, Your Word, and prayer. But, Father, we confess that we are not so good about sharing this safe and loving home with others. You want for us to be overflowing with hope and peace, but we are too often consumed by the cares and distractions of this world. Forgive us, Lord. Give us clean hearts, a clear conscience, and a willingness to speak boldly about the forgiveness and love that You so freely give. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Gracious God, we admit that though You have sent each of us out with the task of raising disciples, we often neglect that task. We remain content, stagnant, in our Christian calling, while we regularly meet people who need You. Renew our zeal for showing others Your love as we silently confess our sins to You now…
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Gracious God, You call us to be salt and light but we often keep our lights hidden away. We do not use our words or actions to encourage others to pursue a life with You. We take the Gospel for ourselves, but do not feel the urgency to share this gift of grace with the world. Forgive us and help us to bear witness to the hope we confess, so that others may follow You. You are the Hope of the World. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church