LiturgyLink

a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday

You are here: Home / Archives for confession

confession

confession: abandoned your mission

By 1 Comment

God of all time, of history, of things present, and of things to come, we confess our own abandonment of the mission you have given us. You gave us power through your Spirit and an indefinite timeline for your return. We have squandered time and wasted our gifts to fulfill selfish motives, separating us from one another. Like the disciples, we look to the sky for Jesus, instead of in the faces of the least of these among us. Forgive us, O God, and make us whole again. Reignite a holy passion within us, that we may fulfill your charge to be witnesses of your grace and glory. Amen.
 
Submitted by Rev. Elaine Murray Dreeben, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas

confession: the same?

By Leave a Comment

“Be of the same mind,” says God.

But we like to be independent, each going our own way, dancing to our own beat.

“Have the same love,” says Christ.

But we are not even certain what love is, let alone how to do it.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition, and look not to your own interests but to those of others,” says the Spirit.

But then how will we get ahead? How will we secure our future? How will we have enough?

“Be one with the mind of Christ, who was obedient to the end.”

We bristle at the obedience—we like to believe we are in the lead.

Forgive us, O God,

for we have replaced you with our own ideals, created you in the image of our cultural and economic dream, and situated ourselves at the top of the heap.

Yet you call us to let go, to be humble, to look always to Christ who emptied himself.

Empty us of all that harms, so we may be filled with your Spirit.

~silence~

 

Assurance of Forgiveness

Hear this good news: God is at work in you. Live this truth: God’s grace is more than enough for whatever you carry. Know that you are forgiven, loved, and free.

We will rejoice and be glad! Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine

confession: dodged your call

By Leave a Comment

God of all gods, Master of all kings, we have dodged your call and detoured from your path so much that we are often lost and cannot hear you. We deny dreams of your kingdom come, your will done by rebuilding ruins with relics. Our exile from you means a nightmare of struggling with others. Forgive our self worship and reveal the mystery of the dream you have for us…

(silent prayer)

Submitted by Rev. J. Christy Ramsey, Carson City NV

confession: your love is at work, yet we resist

By 1 Comment

Call to Confession

God calls us to rest in grace, to let down our guard and be truthful about ourselves and the world. When we allow some breathing room, we can see the Spirit moving, calling us to a new way of life. Before God, with all the people of God, let us confess our brokenness and make room for healing. Let us pray.

Prayer of Confession

Your Love is hard at work, O God. Yet we resist, insisting we must do the work ourselves. We resist, unwilling to allow the undeserving to be loved. We resist, wanting to control the methods and outcomes. We forget to give thanks, instead wavering between trying harder and giving up. Forgive our hard-heartedness, and remind us that you are Love. Forgive our narrow vision, and turn us again to walk your way. Forgive our ingratitude, and open us to receive as well as give. Free us from our selfish desires, and make room for your work to grow in us.

~silence~

Assurance of Forgiveness

Hear this good news: God is at work in you. Live this truth: God’s grace is more than enough for whatever you carry. Know that you are forgiven, loved, and free.

We will rejoice and be glad! Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL

Confession: so full

By Leave a Comment

Call to Confession

It is tempting to think we have it all figured out, but then we fool only ourselves even as we crowd out the Spirit. When we admit our faults and our failings, we make room for the still small voice of God to speak, to us and through us. Before God, with the people of God, let us confess the ways we wound our lives, and the life of the world. Let us pray.
Confession

Living God, our lives are so full, and we keep filling them. Activities, knowledge, resume-builders, work, fun, stuff—more, more, more seems to be our mantra. There is no space for us to live or move or to just be. We confess that you are often unknown to us, for we cannot see how to fit you in. We confess that we like to feel important, and with you there is no power or status to be earned. We confess that we have more than our share of most things, yet still we want. Forgive our gluttony and arrogance of mind, body, and spirit, and turn us again to see your face. Silence in us every voice but your own, and make yourself known to us again this day. Amen.

~silence~

Assurance

Friends, hear this good news: God is not far from each one of us. In every breath, the Spirit makes us new, alive with Christ!

We are forgiven, loved, and free. Thanks be to God! Amen.

 

Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL