Prayers of Confession on Sheep

Inspired by Psalm 100

You have made us; we are Your people, the sheep of Your pasture. For the times we wander from Your leadership, forgive us. For the times we lead others astray, pursue us with Your grace. No matter where we wander, seek us out. Bring us back to the security of Your loving care and the comfort of Your presence. Draw us into the assurance that goodness and mercy will follow us, and that we will dwell in Your house forever, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Almighty and merciful God, we have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against your 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. O Lord, have mercy upon us. Spare those who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent, according to your promises declared to the world in Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O merciful God, for his sake, that we may live a holy, just, and humble life for the glory of your holy name. Amen

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

Holy God, we realize that You know us more intimately than we know ourselves. We come before You now asking You to show us our sin, to make us aware of our failings, to open our eyes to our brokenness. We are wandering sheep that have gone our own way. We need Your wisdom and guidance to show us the path of truth and life, for we are lost without Your grace. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Test us and know our troubled thoughts. Give us true repentance that only comes from You. Do Your transforming work in us so that we can live as Your redeemed people in the world. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church

Holy God, we realize that You know us more intimately than we know ourselves. We come before You now asking You to show us our sin, to make us aware of our failings, to open our eyes to our brokenness. We are wandering sheep that have gone our own way. We need Your wisdom and guidance to show us the path of truth and life, for we are lost without Your grace. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Test us and know our troubled thoughts. Give us true repentance that only comes from You. Do Your transforming work in us so that we can live as Your redeemed people in the world. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church