Prayers of Confession on the Church
Adapted from Revelation 3:15-22
Pastor: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation: “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
All: For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
Pastor: Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.
All: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Submitted by Dustin Ray
Almighty God,
we have fractured your church,
we have wasted the resources of this earth,
we have corrupted our culture,
Forgive us, we pray, renew us by the power of your Spirit,
and draw us to you as we now approach your table.
Amen.
Complete Library of Christian Worship, Vol. 5: The Services of the Christian Year, Robert Webber, Ed.
O God,
whose will it is that all your children should be one in Christ;
we pray for the unity of your Church.
Pardon all our pride and our lack of faith,
of understanding and of charity,
which are the causes of our divisions.
Deliver us from narrow-mindedness,
from our bitterness,
from our prejudices.
Save us from considering as normal
that which is a scandal to the world
and an offence to your love.
Teach us to recognize the gifts of grace
among all those who call upon you
and confess the faith of Jesus Christ our Lord.
French Reformed Church
Holy God, We are not meant to live life alone. We need You and the community of the church. Forgive us when we try to go it alone, When we think we can handle it all without any help. When we forget to rely on one another and on You. We need you and our brothers and sisters in Christ to live a faithful life. Help us to reach out to each other and to You remembering that a strand of three cords is not easily broken. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Gracious God, on Sundays we come to this place and you fill us up with your goodness and light and we are renewed. But when we go out into the world, we fall short in so many ways. We confess that we are easily influenced by temptations and we fall prey to all kinds of sins. We are broken people who constantly lose focus on the cross of Christ. Forgive us for taking for granted the gift of the sacrifice of Your Son on our behalf. Thank you for being the Good Shepherd who always brings us back. Please transform our hearts and lives to live every day in the image of Your Son, Jesus. In Whose name we pray, Amen.
Dear Lord, we are so grateful that we have found our home in Your church. We have been forever changed by the new identity You give us as forgiven and beloved children, and we are refreshed again and again as we dive deeper into Christian fellowship, Your Word, and prayer. But, Father, we confess that we are not so good about sharing this safe and loving home with others. You want for us to be overflowing with hope and peace, but we are too often consumed by the cares and distractions of this world. Forgive us, Lord. Give us clean hearts, a clear conscience, and a willingness to speak boldly about the forgiveness and love that You so freely give. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Merciful God, we confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart. We have failed to be an obedient church. We have not done your will, we have broken your law, we have rebelled against your love. We have not loved our neighbors, and we have refused to hear the cry of the needy.
Forgive us, we pray. Free us for joyful obedience; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The United Methodist Book of Worship
Inspired by Matthew 15:10-20
Holy God, we confess that we have focused too much on our religion, and not enough on our hearts. We confess that we might sit in church on Sunday, but the Gospel does not emerge from our lives the rest of the week. We give our inner thoughts to you, O God, and we are aware that you already know them. Help us to receive your forgiveness and to make space for Your love to shine throughout our lives.
Cody Sandahl
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