A Prayer of Confession Inspired by Psalm 106

The following prayer of Confession was written by Stephen Fearing and used at Conyers Presbyterian Church in Conyers, Georgia on Sunday, October 27th, 2013.  On this date, CPC dedicated the newest addition to their worship life, the new Presbyterian Hymnal, Glory to God.  The sung response throughout this confession is hymn number 576 in Glory to God.  It is a simple, heartfelt, and concise sung confession that can be easily learned in almost any group.  The confession is based off of the text of Psalm 106.

Forgive us for what we have done….
                                We have sinned.
                                We have rebelled.
                                We have forgotten your works.
                                We have put you to the test.
                                We have worshipped idols.
                                We have grumbled, provoked, and angered you.
                                We have sinned.
                                          (Kyrie #576)

Forgive us for what we have left undone….
                                We have not considered your wonderful works.
                                We have not remembered the abundance
                                               of your steadfast love.
                                We have not waited for your word.
                                We have not had faith in your promise.
                                We have not served you.
                                (Kyrie #576)

Remember us, O Lord.
                                Show favor upon us, your people.
                                Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us
                                that we might give thanks in your holy name
                                and glory in your praise.
                                           (Kyrie #576)

Confession (2) | Second Sunday in Easter (Year C)

The following confession sequence is by Thom Shuman. You can find more of his liturgies here. Call to Confession When we keep our faults and failures locked safely away, we have no need to confess. But God comes into our hearts when we least expect, so we can be filled with forgiveness, with hope, with peace. Please join me as we pray together, saying,

Unison Prayer of Confession God of empty tombs and emptier people: when we hesitate to speak of your hope, forgive us, and give us a voice. When we find it difficult to love one another, forgive us, and give us fresh compassion. When we want to stand with the high and mighty, forgive us, and seat us next to the poor and oppressed. When we stay locked behind our fears and doubts, forgive us, and send us out to share you grace. When we cannot believe your Word of new life, forgive us, and fill us with your joy. Silence is kept

Assurance of Pardon Christ comes into every shadowed corner of our lives with the light of Easter. Christ comes into the locked rooms of our faults and gifts us with grace and hope. Christ comes to fill us with peace, so we may proclaim the good news of mercy and forgiveness for all. Thanks be to God. Amen.

Confession (1) | Second Sunday in Easter (Year C)

submitted by Scott Cervas, Meadowthorpe Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Kentucky via LiturgyLink.Net. a prayer of confession for the Second Sunday of Easter.

God, we are so much like the disciples that it isn’t even funny. We’re afraid…scared to go outside and live resurrected lives; scared to disconnect ourselves from systems that devalue other people; scared to challenge the status quo, because standing up to it will place us on the outside of our own comfortable, privileged, lives. Like Thomas, we want tangible proof, tangible results, and tangible rewards. And until you deliver, we will stay where we are. And where we are is exactly where we don’t belong. So please, forgive our complacency, and draw us to richer, fuller, resurrected lives, even now, as we offer our silent confessions…

Responsive Confession | Easter Sunday (Year C)

The following responsive confession is from the United Church of Christ. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. We anoint the death of our dreams, even before we allow them a chance to live. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. We give up on hope so easily, on the expectation that God will do something incredible. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them God speaks through the strangers we encounter, but we don’t hear, we don’t want to be challenged by a new word. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here, but has risen.” We seek life from the death of the past. We hold to that which breathes only in our memory; to mistakes long past; to hurts long inflicted; to strings attached to forgiveness. “Remember how Jesus told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man, the ‘Human One,’ must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified and on the third day rise again.” Too often torn and scattered, we feel unworthy of the healing of God’s grace or the promise of restoration. Then they remembered Jesus’ words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. We forget the promises of God, even those whispered just moments ago. We want proof before we’ll believe, before we’ll be faithful. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. We don’t risk enough to trust the messengers in everyday appearance. We don’t dare ourselves to understand. But these words seemed to the apostles an idle tale, and they did not believe them. We think our problems too big for God! We act like frightened disciples, unwilling to allow God into our crowded lives, unwilling to make room for the One who creates and creates again. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. We are like Peter. We deny God; we fail to share the miracle; we keep the good news to ourselves.

Forgive us, God, for our disbelief—for seeing an empty tomb and thinking a cruel trick; for discovering a discarded burial cloth yet still holding to death; for hearing words of life but keeping them to ourselves. Restore us even in our unbelief. Amen.

Assurance of Pardon:

“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NRSV) Do not be afraid! Receive the good news with great joy! God’s promises are true. Christ has risen. Believe and be alive.

Prayer of Confession (1) | Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year C)

From Feasting on the Word - Worship Companion, edited by Kimberly Bracken Long. Purifying God, we grow comfortable with the way things are in our lives, in the church, and in the world. We do not always welcome the new life you offer in Christ, for you overturn our notions of power and protocol. Sure of our own righteousness, we are critical of others. Wanting to control our assets, we hoard the gifts you give us. Forgive us, we pray, for seeking our gain at the expense of others. Help us bend our lives toward your own life of self-giving and sacrifice. Fill us, our homes and churches, the whole world, with the abundant love of Christ until all are made new. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession (3) | Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year C)

Holy One, The space between us is too great–

this agonizing expanse between you and us:

The rift we have created by demanding our share.

The distance we have put between us as we flee to a far country.

The resentment we hold when things don’t seem fair.

Our refusal to join your gracious party.

Forgive each selfish request

each step away

each bitter thought

each joyless rejection.

Forgive us

and run toward us

with open arms.

Submitted by Rev. Joanna Harader.