Prayers of Confession on God’s Works
Adapted from Psalm 66
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth!
Sing praises to the glory of God’s name! Make glorious his praise.
Say to God:
“How awesome are your works! All the earth worships you,
Sings praises to you,
Sings praises to your name!”
Come and see God’s deeds;
His works for human beings are awesome.
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Adapted from Psalm 106
Pastor: Both we and our ancestors have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. In the trails of this past week, I have not praised you but have forgotten your wondrous works.
All: Yet you saved us for your name’s sake, that you might make known your mighty power. You saved us from the hand of the foe and redeemed us from the power of the enemy. We believed your words; we sang your praise.
Pastor: But we soon forgot you works; we did not wait for your counsel. We have desired illicit and disgusting things. We forgot you, O God, our Savior, who did great things in our lives.
All: Look upon our distress and hear our cry of confession. Remember your covenant with Jesus and relent according to the abundance of your steadfast love. Save us, O LORD our God.
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Adapted from Job 40:1-2, 4-8; 42:1-6
Pastor: And the LORD said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
All: Then Job answered the LORD and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”
Pastor: Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?”
All: Then Job answered the LORD and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore, I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Heavenly Father,
We confess that we are not always able to see your handiwork in the people and things around us. We do not always see your image in our neighbors, and we do not always see your creative fingerprints in the good things in our world. Our eyes and our hearts are darkened by sin, and we too often take our sinful perspectives for granted. Transform our eyes and hearts with your Holy Spirit, so we may see the light of your creation and the love of redemption that we have in Jesus. Help us to see and live according to Jesus’s vision and life. Hear our prayers as we continue our confession in silence…
Submitted by Allen Thompson
Gracious Spirit, you are at work all around us. You prompt us to follow you, and you convict us when we have missed your leading. Please forgive us for the times that we miss your presence. Please humble us when we think we can control your will. Soften our hearts to be more perceptive to your presence as we silently confess our sins to you now.…
Submitted by Austin D. Hill
Heavenly Father, give us hearts that wait with faith. Build in us the assurance that you are at work and in control. Forgive us for our impatience, our uneasiness, and our wandering desires when we do not feel that we have what we need. Help us to see and to rejoice in the fruit that you are bearing in our own lives and in the lives of those around us—in the small things as well as the big things—and guide us to rest our concerns and anxieties in you. We pray these things in the name of the one who shows us your peace, Christ Jesus. Hear us as we continue our prayers in silence…
Submitted by Allen Thompson
Heavenly Father, we confess that we often take stock of your work and your goodness based on what we have and see in a particular moment. We follow the desires and encouragements of crowds rather than waiting on you. We are oblivious to your mercy amidst the needs that we feel. Forgive our lack of faith, and encourage us by your Holy Spirit to focus on Jesus, who provides and perfects our faith. We pray these things in his name, and we ask that you hear these things that we confess in silence…
Submitted by Allen Thompson
Heavenly Father, we confess that we are not always able, willing, and ready to be vessels of your work. Thank you for the times that you cultivate our receptive hearts and fruitful hands. In your abundant mercy, sow in us seeds of your love, your grace, and your truth. Encourage us with your Holy Spirit, so that we are more and more prepared to receive and live your word. We pray these things in the name of Jesus, your living word, who grants our forgiveness. Hear our prayers as we continue our confession in silence…
Submitted by Allen Thompson