Prayers of Confession on the Beatitudes

Heavenly father, we confess to you that we do not always think or act as the children which you made us to be.

You tell us to honour our fathers and mothers, not to murder, commit adultery, steal or covet other people’s possessions

We confess that we don’t always value those closest to us

We are on our best behaviour with strangers

And save our tiredness, anger, frustration and hurt for those we love

We’re sorry. Please forgive us.

You tell us that all of humanity is made in your perfect image, and that “whatever we do for the least of these, we do it for you”

We confess that we don’t always look for your face in the people around us

Instead of loving and supporting other people

We judge them as somebody who isn’t good enough

Or idolise them as somebody who we’d rather be

We’re sorry. Please forgive us.

You tell us that blessed are the peacemakers, the meek, the merciful, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

We confess that our lives don’t always reflect these qualities you desire in us

While we pay lip service to peace, we don’t go out of our way to make it a reality

While we say we admire meekness, we devalue those who live out humility

While we say that you are all we need, too often we search for satisfaction elsewhere

We’re sorry. Please forgive us.

You tell us to have no other gods before you

We confess that we don’t always honour you as our Lord and King

We treat other aspects of our lives as more important than our relationship with you

We abuse your love, mercy and forgiveness

And devalue the price which Christ paid to restore our relationship with you

We’re sorry. Please forgive us.

Jacob Traeger

Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us that those who mourn will be comforted.  Too often we fail to offer that comfort.  You taught that the meek will inherit the earth, yet we often take advantage of those who do not stand up for themselves. You bless those who hunger for righteousness, yet righteousness slips our minds more often than not. We struggle to be merciful, or pure in heart, or peacemakers. Forgive us these and all our sins, as we continue to confess in silence…

Silent Prayer

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Submitted by Chip Hardwick

Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, your face is hidden from us by our sins, and we forget your mercy in the blindness of our hearts.

Cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires. With lowliness and meekness may we draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son. Amen.

Submitted by Austin D. Hill