Prayers of Confession on Restoration

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.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws.  We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

Thomas Cranmer, The Book of Common Prayer, Great Confession for Morning and Evening Prayer.

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

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

Eternal and Glorious God, Your grace calls us toward growth and service in You. Yet today we acknowledge the many times we have forgotten Your mercy and rejected Your love. Forgive us when we sin against You Through our thoughts, words, and deeds. Forgive us when we neglect to think, speak, and do as You desire. Renew and restore us, O God. Help us to run the race You put before us with perseverance, patience, and passion. In His name we pray. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church