Prayers of Confession on Rest
Gracious and Holy God, we make no pretense about our lives. We forget, even deny that we were created with wonder and delight in our souls. Yet, we go through life anxious and serious, seeking to get ahead, striving to make ends meet. We rush and hurry, and fill up our calendars. Where is the joy? Where are the days of summer rest? Where is our sense of delight? Forgive us, Lord, for failing to be the people that You created us to be and remind us that, like Nicodemus, we are loved for who we are, just as we are. Help us to remember that, in Christ, we are forgiven. Grant us Your peace as we look to You for the strength and courage to resist further temptation. We lift our prayer in the Name of Your Precious Son, Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Gracious God, today we begin to pay attention to the fact that you rested on the seventh day. Somehow, you finished your work by resting. This seems odd to us, even contrary to how we think about work. Teach us, Lord, to think of work and rest as you do. Help us to model our own lives after you, so that we might live fully and fruitfully. Amen.
Gracious God, in six days you created all things. On the seventh day you finished your work by resting. You also blessed and hallowed the seventh day, setting it aside as a day of rest. Teach me, Lord, what this means for me. May my life not primarily be formed by the demands of my work, the expectations of my culture, or the urgings of my feelings. Rather, may my life be formed by you, by your example, by your truth. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. Amen.
Gracious God, You have made us for Yourself. Therefore, our hearts are restless until we rest in You. We hear this. We know this. And yet, we often demand instant conveniences and prioritize personal agendas over relationship with You. Forgive us, and let us hear again the invitation to come to You, especially when the burdens are heavy, for in You is our rest, our redemption, our renewal, and our resurrection, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Based on Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus says, “Are you tired? Burned out? Worn out? Come to me.”
He promises rest.
When we come before God and confess our sins,
We are not only handing over those burdens,
We are asking Jesus to give us rest.
Listen to the Messiah.
In this time of confession,
allow him to take those burdens away.
Ellen R. Dawson
Prayer of Confession for Labor Day
Lord of the Sabbath
Prince of Peace
Lead us away from our work for rest
Our world is so fast
So noisy
So full
Help us stop and rest with you
Our world is so pressured
Work, work, work
Buy, buy, buy
More, more, more
Reveal the fears that drive us
The pride and shame disguised as sacrifice and hustle
Free us to trust and follow you in the doing and in the ceasing
The congregation is invited to offer their own prayers
We trust your promise to renew a right spirit within
We trust your presence and providing
We trust your blessing of Sabbath rest
Breathe in… Breathe out… in the name of the Father
Breathe in… Breathe out… in the name of the Son
Breathe in… Breathe out… in the name of the Spirit
Amen
Prayer of Confession for Labor Day © 2023 by Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
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Check out our Calls to Worship on Rest.