Prayers of Confession on Renewal

Adapted from Deuteronomy 29

Pastor: God our Redeemer, you have saved your people through Jesus Christ, your Son. You have delivered your people out of slavery to sin and have freed us into new life. Yet, we still wander through the wilderness of our sins.

All: How quickly we forget who you are. How quickly we forget all our blessings. How quickly we forget all your good commandments that guide our new lives in Jesus Christ. Forgive us of our sins.

Pastor: Renew our hearts and minds that we may understand the Gospel. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see the sweet hope of faith in Christ.

All: Return us to the covenant that you swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Continue to establish us as your people. Free us from the idols that ensnare us, and bind us to your grace.

Submitted by Dustin Ray 

Inspired by Ezekiel 37:1-14

Father God, we confess that we dwell in a valley of dry bones. We may resemble the living but we are dead. Our sin has left us lifeless. We are dead in our transgressions and in need of a resurrection of life. We resonate with the words of the people of Israel, “Our bones are dried up, our hope is lost; we are completely cut off.” May you, most Gracious and Forgiving Father forgive us of the sin that has led to our virtual lifelessness and renew life within us by the power of your Spirit. May you put your spirit within us that we may live again. Amen. 

Scott Bullock

Inspired by Mark 4:26-34

Leader: King Jesus, you taught your disciples a great deal about your kingdom, and we confess that we have thought much more about our own kingdoms than about yours. In fact, you are the king over all creation, and we are not.

People: You are the King over all creation; we are your humble servants. 

Leader: We confess that we have acted like the kings and queens over our lives, and we have not regarded your reign nearly as much as we ought. In fact, we have tried to keep your sovereign rule as far away from our lives as much as possible.

People: You are the King over all creation; we are your humble servants.

Leader: We ask that you renew our hearts to love and cherish your authority and power. We want to obey you, we want to serve you, and we want to follow you.

People: You are the King over all creation; we are your humble servants. Help us love and worship you. Amen.

Dustin Ray

Heavenly Father, we come before Your throne of grace to confess our sin. We have been selfish instead of generous; we have been proud instead of humble; we have held grudges instead of forgiving; we have proven over and over again that we cannot be good enough on our own. We need more of You, and less of ourselves. 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

Merciful God, we humble ourselves in your presence, confessing our unworthiness and our sinfulness in your sight. We have broken your holy law. We have not sought first your kingdom and righteousness. We have been anxious and troubled about many things, and have neglected the things that belong to our peace. We have not loved our neighbor as ourselves, or done to others as we would that they should do to us. 

Most Gracious God, our heavenly Father, who hast given your Son, Jesus Christ, to save your people from their sins; forgive us, we pray; cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and renew a right spirit within us; through the grace of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

The Book of Common Order, Language Modernized by Stuart Strachan Jr.