Prayers of Confession on Scripture

Omniscient God, we are a proud people who often turn away Your messengers. Open our eyes to those You have sent and let us graciously receive them into our lives. You have a plan for us that we may not see, so humble our hearts so that we may see what You have in store for us. Ground us again in the wisdom of Scripture and in the Living Word which is Christ Jesus. Renew us at the fountain of His wisdom, so we may find joy in obedience and freedom in giving ourselves to You. Give us the courage to be the ones that You send, and let our actions and intentions reflect You and give you glory. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Almighty God,
we often look to the words of the world, rather than your Word.
We follow the opinions of acquaintances, the popularity of celebrities, and the drive of leaders.
We look all around us before we look to you.
Father, forgive us and remind us of your Word and your ways.
May we build our lives on your truth, love, hope, and strength,
that we might lead others to you.

Submitted by Laura Murray

Adapted from “Spiritual Helps” in The Valley of Vision

Pastor: Eternal Father, it is amazing love, that you sent your Son to suffer in my place, that you have given me your Holy Spirit to teach, comfort, and guide me. Because of Jesus’ death in my place, you have forgiven me, a wretched sinner.

All: May my hard heart experience your pity, not your wrath. Although I am prone to evil, dead to goodness, and resist the prompting of your Spirit, do not abandon me. Continue to be gracious!

Pastor: Keep me feeding in the pastures of your delightful Word, rejoicing in Scripture because there you are found. Let all your fatherly dealings with me make me a partaker of your holiness.

All: Grant that in every fall I may sink lower on my knees, and that when I rise it may be to loftier heights of devotion.

Submitted by Dustin Ray

Loving God, you spoke the earth into motion. Your words have that much power. So instead of continuing to speak to you, we silence ourselves Please show us our sins and forgive us for them as we listen to your still small voice in this time of silence…

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

Eternal and Glorious God, You are merciful, kind, and forgiving. You hear us when we confess to You. We admit we do not focus on You  with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength. A day devoted to You is rarely attempted. We neglect to rest our hearts and minds in You, for we keep going in our power and never stop. We do not attend to Your Word, for we live by the words and idols of our age. We fail to worship with Your people, for we give priority to many other commitments. Forgive our sin, and help us to walk in Your ways to the honor of Your name. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Lord Jesus Christ, you reveal God to us, yet we are sometimes repulsed, bored, or exhausted by what we see. We become jaded to your work in the world, and our eyes glaze over rather than getting excited by your revelations.  You manifest yourselves to us through the scriptures, in quiet prayers, and in wise counsel. Yet we are slow to listen, and we ignore these epiphanies.  We need your Spirit’s strength to open our eyes and soften our hearts. Forgive us these and all our sins, as we continue to confess in silence…

Silient Prayer.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Submitted by Chip Hardwick

Please give us mercy, Oh Lord, for how we have misused your word. We ignore it, discredit it, weaponize it, and commandeer it to prop ourselves up. Instead, please make us humble, bring us low, so that we can encounter the mystery of your grace in the Scriptures. Strip us of our securities in ourselves that we would pursue you more fervently. We come you in silent confession.

Time of silent reflection and confession…

Submitted by Austin D. Hill

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word. You are a God who wants to be known and heard. You have spoken and continue to speak to humanity though Jesus, Your Incarnate Word, and Scripture, Your written Word. Thank You. Lord, forgive us for failing to listen to Your Word. Sometimes when You speak to us, we question whether we heard You correctly. At other times, we know You have spoken but we choose not to listen. Many times, we are too distracted with the rest of our lives to hear You speaking at all. Forgive us. Lord, help us trust and obey Your Word. Give us clarity and wisdom to recognize Your voice. Give us confidence and courage to follow You. Help us. We believe, Lord, but help our unbelief. In the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Dear God, we come before You admitting that it is easy to lose sight of what is true according to Your Word. Forgive us when we judge others. Forgive us when pride and our worldly definition of success causes division in our relationships. Show us how to love people well and to daily keep our eyes focused on You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church