Prayers of Confession on Sabbath
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, for many of us, the notion of Sabbath-keeping is foreign. It suggests old-fashioned traditionalism or constrictive legalism. Yet, your example in Genesis 2, not to mention other portions of Scripture, challenges us to consider our own patterns of work and rest. Help us, Lord, to understand more deeply what it means for us to live as your people when it comes to the matter of regular rest. May we learn from your Word, from each other, from those with traditioned wisdom, and from your indwelling Spirit. Amen.
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