Prayers of Confession on Soil
Adapted from Matthew 13:18-23
Pastor: “Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.”
All: We have ignored Your Word, O God, and You discipline us for our willful rebellion. Have mercy, O God.
Pastor: “As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.”
All: We have been weak, O God, during tribulation and persecution, and we have not looked to you for strength.
Pastor: “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”
All: O God, we have cared more about riches and cares of this world rather than eternal things.
Pastor: “As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
All: Make our hearts good soil, O Lord, so that we might yield a great harvest of praise for Your Name. Do it in us, for we cannot do it on our own.
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Inspired by Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
As we gather on your good earth,
before the bounty of your Word and Table,
and the majesty of your holy presence,
We remember and repent
Forgive us, Abiding One,
We keep you at a distance
We defy your bidding
We make it harder for people to know you
Forgive us, Saving One,
We deny our weakness
We wallow in our weakness
We take advantage of the weakness of others
Forgive us, Holy One,
We refuse your counsel
We waste your gifts
We withhold your compassion from others
Break through
Break through our hardened views,
lest the evil one win the day
Break through our gravelly hearts
lest we have no root and wither to nothing
Break through our thorny ways
lest our agendas and fears
choke the promise of your word
and smother a harvest worthy of your Name
Silent Confession
Prayer of Confession based on the parable of the sower © 2016 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia, www.revlisad.com
Lord God, give us hearts of great expectation as we wait for the glorious return of our Savior, Jesus, the Son of God. We confess far too many daily moments of apathy, indifference, and distraction. Forgive us, Lord, for these patterns of passionless discipleship. Instead, plant in us a sense of adventure, a growing excitement over Christ’s coming. May we be full of joy even now as we anticipate the day of His arrival. And may we be found faithful in that moment. All this we pray in the merciful name of Jesus. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Merciful and mighty God, you plant your seed in all kinds of soil. You speak, hoping that the whole world will listen and heed what you say. We struggle to follow your word. We fail to live up to your example. We like to pick and choose the recipients of your grace and our kindness. We show love to people who seem most deserving and often leave the rest behind. Strengthen us to turn away from our self-centered tendencies, and forgive us for these and all of our sins. We confess in silence…
Silent Prayer
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Submitted by Chip Hardwick