Prayers of Confession on Purification
Adapted from Psalm 51:1-17
Pastor: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
All: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
Pastor: For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
All: Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Pastor: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
All: Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Pastor: Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
All: O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Adapted from Psalm 51:1-2, 8-9
All: God, have mercy on me according to your faithful love. Because your love is so tender and kind, wipe out my lawless acts. Wash away all the evil things I’ve done. Make me pure from my sin. Let me hear you say, “Your sins are forgiven.” That will bring me joy and gladness. Let the body you have broken be glad. Take away all my sins. Wipe away all the evil things I’ve done. God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you. Don’t send me away from you. Don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by you. Give me a spirit that obeys you so that I will keep going.
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Our compassionate and gracious God, we come before You because of Your promises and truths. You tell us that if we confess our sins then You will purify us of all unrighteousness. But even with such straightforward mercy, we lose focus on You and get caught up in everyday life. As we reveal that we haven’t lived our lives to their full purpose, light our hearts on fire for you our one true God. Forgive us our sins so that we can exalt Your eternal glory and spread the Good News in our everyday lives. Help us to invite You into every thought, action, and part of our lives so that Your goodness may shine through us. In Jesus name. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Lord, be with us this day: Within us to purify us, above us to draw us up, beneath us to sustain us, before us to lead us, behind us to restrain us, around us to protect us. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Holy God, Your love is amazing, steady, and unchanging. Your love is relentless, passionate, and astounding. We thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus which has redeemed us and restored us to a right relationship with You. We confess that we take this gift for granted; we fail to grasp the significance of the sacrifice; we continue to live as unredeemed people. Forgive us for our sinfulness. Cleanse us. Restore us. And ignite our hearts with a passion to live for You. We humbly ask, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church