Prayers of Confession on Forgiveness
Adapted from 2 Kings 17:7-23
All: O God, You have loved us so well. You have been kind to us. You have given us all that we need. You have kept us from danger. You have given us new life and forgiveness in Your Son, Jesus, but we have sinned against you, doing what You told us not to do. We think and live like You don’t love us, like You don’t see our struggles, like You don’t see our needs. We think that other gods of money, more stuff, looking good, seeming smart, and feeling accepted will make us whole and happy. But really, only you can make us whole and joyful. Help us trust You when You say, “I will be with you.”
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Selected from and inspired by Psalm 32:1-7
All: O Lord, you declare that the forgiven person is blessed, that the person who has no deceit is blessed. We confess that we have had deceitful hearts, deceitful tongues, deceitful thoughts, and deceitful actions. It feels like our hearts and our bodies waste away when we try to hide our sins from You. You see them all! Forgive our iniquity, and heal our broken hearts. Be a hiding place for us. Calm our troubled hearts, and surround us with your blessed presence because you have forgiven all our sins.
Dustin Ray
Adapted from Psalm 32:1-7
Pastor: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
All: For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Pastor: I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
All: Therefore, let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Adapted from Psalm 130
Out of the depths we cry to you, Lord. God, hear our voices. Let your ears be attentive to our cries for mercy. If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. We will wait for the Lord, our whole being waits, and in God’s word we put our hope.
Time of silent reflection.
Amen.
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Adapted from Psalm 130:3-6, NIV
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Almighty God, our Redeemer, in our weakness we have failed to be your messengers of forgiveness and hope. Renew us by your Holy Spirit, that we may follow your commands and proclaim your reign of love, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Adapted from Proverbs 15:1-16
Pastor: O wise and wonderful God, in our quick temper and selfish pride, we have not followed your example—you are slow to anger, abounding in love, and show steadfast faithfulness to your children.
All: We have been foolish in so many ways—in our speech, in our labors, in our thinking, and in our hearts. We have spoken perversely, and we have neglected wise speech.
Pastor: Daily we have walked in wickedness, feeding our hearts and minds with spiritual pollutants—explicit content, deceitful desires, and selfish gain. Our hearts are open before you, and you see and hate every sinful inclination.
All: Remove these sinful passions and weaknesses; make us strong by the power of your Holy Spirit through forgiveness in Jesus, for “better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.”
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Adapted from Proverbs 24:1-2, 5-6
Pastor: “Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.”
All: Forgive me, O God, for I have envied evil people who have more than I do. I have desired their comfort and their toys and their easy living more than I have desired your glory. Forgive me by the power of Jesus’ blood.
Pastor: “A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.”
All: Give me wisdom, O God, to trust in the Gospel. Help me to wage war against Satan, sin, and death through the power of the Holy Spirit. Give my Christian brothers and sisters victory in our fight of faith.
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Based on the Call of Matthew
This prayer also works well for the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18)
Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.
I have failed to love as You Love
I have treated others as objects and obstacles
– less than human
– less than bearing the image of God
I have elevated goals, persons, and things to the throne of my heart
I have procrastinated allowing fear to postpone your good work
I have wasted your precious gifts of time and talent and money
I am proud in unhealthy ways
I am too comfortable peacekeeping rather than peacemaking
I am privileged and have much to learn and unlearn,
center and decenter,
for my words and actions to actually help
I have raised myself too high
Hid myself too low
Trusting in you and your promises
I call on your Mighty Name for mercy
I ask your forgiveness, Gracious Savior
I surrender to your healing, Great Physician
I claim your resurrection power, Risen One
Time of silent confession
Jesus, Merciful and Mighty,
You are already here
Calling me from the old to the new
Speaking my name
Welcoming me to table
Offering me a new path
Hallelujah! I will follow
Prayer of Confession based on the Call of Matthew © 2017 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Inspired by Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
As we gather on your good earth,
before the bounty of your Word and Table,
and the majesty of your holy presence,
We remember and repent
Forgive us, Abiding One,
We keep you at a distance
We defy your bidding
We make it harder for people to know you
Forgive us, Saving One,
We deny our weakness
We wallow in our weakness
We take advantage of the weakness of others
Forgive us, Holy One,
We refuse your counsel
We waste your gifts
We withhold your compassion from others
Break through
Break through our hardened views,
lest the evil one win the day
Break through our gravelly hearts
lest we have no root and wither to nothing
Break through our thorny ways
lest our agendas and fears
choke the promise of your word
and smother a harvest worthy of your Name
Silent Confession
Prayer of Confession based on the parable of the sower © 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, 0 Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, 0 most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
Thomas Cranmer, The Book of Common Prayer, Great Confession for Morning and Evening Prayer.
Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name and what our hearts can no longer bear. Set us free from a past that we cannot change, and open to us a future in which we can be changed. Grant us grace to grow more and more in Your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, the Light of the world. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Prayer of Confession and Pardon for Easter
Risen Christ,
The world despised and rejected you
You responded with grace, humility, and welcome
The proud questioned your power, devised your death
You responded with peace, forgiveness, and new life
Forgive us, Merciful One
Our arrogance
Our selfishness
Our scheming
Our violence
Forgive us, Merciful One
We are like them
Make us like you
Time of silent confession
Risen Christ,
We claim your grace, your mercy, your forgiveness
We claim your resurrection power:
Dying, you destroy our death
Rising, you restore our life.
You come now with saving power
Alleluia. Amen.
Prayer of Confession and Pardon for Easter © 2022 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Loving God, you are always ready to forgive our sins. We are much less eager to forgive those with whom we disagree. So often when we have something against our friends, family, or strangers, we escalate the conflict rather than working for unity. We resist your call to be ambassadors of reconciliation. We wish we could turn the other cheek, but it feels so much more satisfying to demonize the other side. Forgive us for these and all of our sins, and hear us now as we continue to confess our sins in silence…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick
Lord God, the grace and mercy, that You express to us through Jesus Christ is almost impossible to understand. How, in Your holiness, could You possibly cancel the debt incurred by our sin? But that’s exactly what You have done through the miracle of the shed blood of Christ. You have provided us with the ultimate example of forgiveness. Yet, we often look at our own opportunities to forgive as a duty rather than a privilege. At times, we forgive others with reluctance and gnashing of teeth. Sometimes we “forgive” with conditions. Teach us more about humility, Lord. Help us to show others the same compassion that You have shown us. Everything we have, we have only because of Your mercy towards us. We receive Your gracious forgiveness, Father, and commit ourselves to pass the torch of total forgiveness to others. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Gracious God, we’ve gathered this morning seeking forgiveness for the sins we’ve committed in our lives and to hear Your words of pardon and grace. We’ve fallen short of Your expectations for us.
We have insisted on doing things our way instead of trusting You and following where You would lead us. Like the criminal on the cross, help us to recognize that even though we deserve to pay for our sins, it’s because of the sacrifice of Your Son that forgiveness can be ours. Grant us that forgiveness and create in us a new heart We ask these things in the Name of Your Son, and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times when we take advantage of your unfailing love. You forgive us day in and day out, you never fail us, and you’ll never leave us. As a result, we become complacent, too comfortable with our mediocrity. We fail to strive for the good plans you’ve laid out for our lives. Please forgive us for cheapening your grace. Renew our gratitude for the sacrifice you made for us as we silently confess our sins before you now…
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Almighty God, too often we settle for brokenness in our lives.
Rather than offering forgiveness, we hold onto offense.
Rather than pursuing justice, we turn away.
Rather than offering mercy, we continue in judgment.
Gracious God, these are not the ways of your kingdom.
Make us hunger and thirst for righteousness that we might see our need for Jesus.
Being nourished by his goodness, help us live out God’s ways on earth.
Submitted by Laura Murray
Merciful God, you pardon all who truly repent and turn to you. We humbly confess our sins and ask your mercy. We have not loved you with a pure heart, nor have we loved our neighbor as ourselves. We have not done justice, loved kindness, or walked humbly with you, our God. Have mercy on us, O God, in your loving-kindness. In your great compassion, cleanse us from our sin. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us from your presence, or take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of your salvation and sustain us with your bountiful Spirit. Amen.
| Dear Jesus, | Please forgive me. |
| Thank you for loving me. | Please help me. |
| I have sinned. | Please change me. |
| I have disobeyed my parents. | Please help me love you. |
| I have lied. | Please help me listen to you. |
| I have been selfish. | I love you, Jesus. |
| I have not listened to you. | Thank you for loving me. |
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Holy Spirit, you have come to reconcile us to each other, but we resist your work to bind us together. We hold onto grudges. Even though we know God has forgiven us in Jesus Christ, we are slow to forgive each other. We have received grace, but we struggle to share it with others. Change our hearts, O Spirit, and grant us Christ’s willingness to forgive. Forgive us for these and all our sins, as we continue to pray in silence…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick
O God, you are the sure foundation and the certain cornerstone. Building on you brings life, yet we often turn away and try to find hope by building on other foundations. Self-esteem, money, career, family status—these are only some of the alternatives we find ourselves investing in. We confess that it is so tempting to construct our lives on the sand, rather than on the rock of your salvation. Forgive us, O God, for these and all of our sins, as we confess in silence…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick
Gracious and Loving God, we come into Your presence asking for Your forgiveness. Forgive us for aspirations that never get translated into action and for promises that we have not kept. Forgive us for having good intentions that were not fulfilled and for the good deeds that we never got around to doing. Grant us a new vision and help us to move from intention to action. Help us, Lord, to keep our eyes on You and to be faithful in all that we say and do. In Christ’s Name we pray. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
God of lasting forgiveness, You are not surprised to find us standing before Your throne once again, asking for Your forgiveness. It’s true, Father: we have sinned again. In our thinking, in our doing, in our negligence, and in our self-righteousness, we ask once more for Your forgiveness. O God, we harbor an unfounded fear that one day Your grace will run out; that Your forgiveness will be exhausted. But each time we come before You, You once more welcome us with open arms. Thank You for a forgiveness that has not failed and will never fail. In the Name of Jesus Christ, who has forgiven all, we pray, Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
We confess, loving God, that we are not a society of saints, but a fellowship of sinners. We are the forgiven, who still need forgiveness. We are the redeemed, who are still being redeemed. We do not compare ourselves with others; we compare ourselves only with Christ, in order that we may be humble in your presence, and in the presence of others. We are thankful, O Lord, that you have not given up on us, and that you are still not finished with us. Continue to shape us in the image of Christ, as we confess our sins in silence in his name…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick
Gracious God, you forgive us whenever we ask, and so we ask you now to forgive all of our sins.
We need your grace again, for we often return to the same sins, over and over again.
Your Spirit longs to make us more and more like Jesus,
Yet we resist, holding on to our old patterns of living as long as we can.
We presume upon your grace, counting on your forgiveness.
Give us, O God, the kind of faith which changes us more and more each day into Christ’s likeness,
And forgive us again when we seem to be moving in the wrong direction.
Pardon us for these and all of our sins, as we continue to pray in silence…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick
What can we say, O Lord, to justify ourselves? You shower us with grace upon grace. Your mercies are new every morning. And we find it hard to forgive others. Sometimes we are petty and hold grudges for years. Other times we are proud, waiting for the other person to admit guilt first. While other times we have experienced trauma and have no healed from it. Lord, free us today from the unforgiveness that shackles us as we confess our sins to you now.…
Time of silent reflection.
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
We confess, Gracious God, that we are a forgiven people who still need forgiveness. As Christians, it is easy to take this forgiveness for granted, and leave our lives unchanged. It is tempting to sin boldly in the false assurance that all is pardoned automatically. Remind us again of the good news that your son Jesus Christ took our sin seriously enough to die on the cross. Forgive us for presuming upon your grace, and for committing all our sins, as we continue to confess in silence…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick
Lord Jesus Christ, you are quicker to forgive us than we are to brings our sin before you. We worry that the sin we carry is too deep for you to pardon or too evil for you to bear. We forget that you are a God of second chances—that you forgive us and send us back out to serve you again. Remind us again by your Holy Spirit that our reluctance to ask for your forgiveness is a sin that you long to forgive. Pardon us for this and all of our sins, as we continue to confess in silence…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick
Gracious God,
we ask for Your forgiveness
and receive it with joyful hearts.
Renew our minds
so that we may discern what is good.
Fill us with Your Spirit
so that we may be
Your witnesses in the world.
Comfort our hearts,
that we may know that we have
complete redemption by Your grace alone.
In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Holy and merciful God, we confess to you and to one another, and in the company of the communion of saints, that we have sinned by our own fault, in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have not done. We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength; nor have we loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others as we have been forgiven. Have mercy on us, O God, and restore us to a life of obedience. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Adapted from the Book of Common Prayer by Bud Thoreen
Looking for More Liturgical Elements?
Check out our Calls to Worship on Forgiveness.