Prayers of Confession on Joy

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

Lord, You are the great provider. Your Word tells us to trust You and You will direct our paths, but we often forget Your faithfulness and promises found throughout scripture. Forgive us, Father, when we stray from Your plan. Your way is the path to joy, peace, and abundant life. Give us the strength and courage to choose You rather than choosing ourselves. Draw near to us when we doubt, and give us eyes to see Your hand at work in our lives. You are good and faithful always. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Most holy and merciful Father, we your wayward children do humbly confess our shortcomings and our sin. All we like sheep have gone astray and have turned every one to his or her own way-We have lived too much for ourselves and not for you. We have not loved our neighbors as we should, nor faithfully followed our Master in unselfish service. But will you pardon all our offenses. Create within us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. May we go on our way with gladness, assured of your compassion; and forgetting the things which are behind, may we forget those things which are behind us and pressing toward the mark of our high calling in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

A Book of Worship for Free Churches, Language Modernized by Stuart Strachan Jr.

Heavenly Father, we confess that we often see difficult circumstances and discouragement as barriers to doing the work you have called us to do.  Rather than rejoicing in what you have provided, we lament that we do not have more.  Help us to see the gifts that you give and the life that is possible in them.  Make your Holy Spirit’s work clear so that we can follow and glorify you, finding energy and encouragement on the way.  We pray these things in Jesus’s name, and we ask that you hear our continued confession in silence…

Submitted by Allen Thompson

We search for joy and meaning in our world. We look for it in our careers, our social circles, and along many of our paths in life. But these things are often fleeting, and our search is unsustainable. God forgive us for not seeking Your kingdom first. Remove those blinders that prevent us from seeing what You are doing in the world and in our lives. Help us to have our eyes focused only on You. May we seek the ultimate treasure which is Your salvation. Help us to trust that we are a forgiven people, who find joy in the assurance that we are Yours. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Lord God, give us hearts of great expectation as we wait for the glorious return of our Savior, Jesus, the Son of God. We confess far too many daily moments of apathy, indifference, and distraction. Forgive us, Lord, for these patterns of passionless discipleship. Instead, plant in us a sense of adventure, a growing excitement over Christ’s coming. May we be full of joy even now as we anticipate the day of His arrival. And may we be found faithful in that moment. All this we pray in the merciful name of Jesus.  Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Lord, You are a good and gracious God: Offering forgiveness for all our mistakes and failures and restoring us to right relationship with You. Why, then, do we wait to confess our sin to You? Why do we wallow in our muck longer than we need? Our embarrassment hinders us. Our feelings of shame and guilt cause us to hide. You are quick to embrace us as Your children; cause us to be quick to turn back to You. Your mercies are new every morning; let us enjoy Your presence and Your grace. Forgive us, Lord, and allow us to live our lives fully for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Gracious God, we are called to be a joyful people, giving thanks for You and Your good gifts. There are times, however, when sin and sorrow grow, pushing joy to the side. We lose sight of Your grace, and instead fall into despair. We are consumed by loss, distracted by stuff, and crippled with fear. We focus on our lack, rather than Your love. Lift our eyes, Lord Jesus, and renew our joy in You. Remind us that: in Your sacrifice is our forgiveness, in Your death is our resurrection, in Your coming is our joy! Through Christ we pray, Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church