Prayers on a Theme of Repentance and Confession
Confession and repentance are at the heart of the Christian faith. They are at the turning point between unbelief and belief, and they are the continual reminder to us that our earthly natures are very close to the surface.
In the same way that we cleanse our hands by washing as we begin a day, so it is good to remind ourselves in prayer that without the presence of God's Spirit in our lives through the day, we are likely to stumble because we are stained by the consequences of sin.
Confession earths our lives in the love of God, keeps us humble and enables us to be a blessing to others through the day.
Unclutter our lives, Lord
we have too much,
consume too much,
expect too much.
Grant us perspective;
to see this world
through others’ eyes
than just our own.
Grant us compassion;
where there is need
to play our part
not turn aside.
Grant us gratitude
for what we have,
our daily bread
the gift of life.
Unclutter our lives, Lord,
give us space,
simplicity
thankful hearts.
God of healing,
God of wholeness,
we bring our brokenness,
our sinfulness,
our fears
and despair,
and lay them at your feet.
God of healing,
God of wholeness,
we hold out hearts and hands,
minds and souls
to feel your touch,
and know the peace
that only you can bring.
God of healing,
God of wholeness,
this precious moment
in your presence and power
grant us faith and confidence
that here broken lives
are made whole.
Loving Father
all the fancy words
in the world
expressed in eloquent prose
decorated with emotion
spoken with conviction
cannot compete with a heartfelt
'sorry'
when all other words fail.
There are times
when we are all too aware
of our limitations
conscious of sin
and the distance it creates between us.
Sometimes 'sorry'
is all the heart can bear to say aloud.
It is only you
who can read and understand
the language of our hearts
Only you who can translate our 'sorry'
into the prayer we would have prayed
if we had the words within us.
Then you forgive
and having forgiven
surround us in an embrace of love
drawing us close to your heart
as it was always meant to be.
Thank you, Loving Father
that you listen to hearts
as well as voices
Thank you.
Your forgiveness is total
no notebook
tape recorder
or post-it note
to remind you of that moment
when.……..
You take our confession
offered with hands outstretched
and gently
like the loving
heavenly Father that you are
put it to one side
to be forgotten
No grudges, no itching for judgement
No resentment or ill-will
Not like us
who find it easy to say sorry
but so hard to forgive
absolutely
Forgive us, Father
that we are often more willing
to accept forgiveness
than to forgive
More willing to accept your love
than to share it with those
who have hurt us.
Teach us to forgive
As you forgive
Love
Has its source in you
Creator God
Flows from you like an ocean
into a world as unyielding
as any shoreline cliff
And like the ocean
which batters
erodes
and wears away
even the hardest stone
your love persists
finds cracks and inlets
in hardened hearts
flows inside and works a miracle.
Who would think that water
was more powerful than granite
love mightier
than the hardest heart
Thank you, Creator God
for the power of your love
You have given us a world of beauty,
and we have spoilt it.
A world to feed us,
and so many go hungry.
A world of riches,
and we are unwilling to share.
A world to care for,
and we think only of ourselves.
Forgive us, gracious God,
for those times your heart is saddened
by our selfishness.
For those times we have no thought
for others, no cares but ours.
Enable us to see this world anew
as a gift from you,
to be shared and nurtured,
and those who live upon it
to be loved and cared for.
We ask this that your name
may be glorified,
through the beauty of this world,
and the service of our lives
Amen
Lord God, you have shown us such love,
and stretched out your arms
to draw us into your embrace.
Yet we so often fail to show that love
within our lives,
or recognise its source.
Forgive our short-sightedness
for the times we've failed to see your love
in the generosity of friend
or stranger,
the shoulder to cry on,
willing ear to listen,
a word of encouragement,
holding our hand that extra mile.
Forgive us for failing to notice
how much you care for us.
Father God,
you are the one who leads us
from darkness into light,
from captivity into freedom,
from anxiety into peace,
from despair into joy.
Yet we long to break free,
choosing independence,
convinced of our own wisdom,
forgetting your love and grace.
Forgive us,
draw close to us,
embrace us once again
in your loving arms,
and enable us to follow you
in worship and grateful service
each day of our lives
Amen
Lord God, your love for humankind,
present in the beginning of all things,
extends throughout history
and touches even my life.
Your love sees failings
and forgives.
Your love feels pain
and wipes away our tears.
Your love knows grief
and comforts the sorrowful.
Your love sees sin
and still loves the sinner.
Forgive us when we fail to live
lives that reflect your love.
Forgive us the many times
when we take for granted
all that you have done for us.
Transform us, through your Spirit,
and empower us to serve you
this day and all days
Amen
Saving God, we are your people
yet the world cannot see this.
We are your children
and fail to live in peace.
We are your voices
and choose to be silent.
We are your hands and feet
and walk a different road.
Forgive us, for ignoring your love,
for brushing aside your hand
and trusting our own wisdom.
Enable us to worship you
in spirit and in truth,
to bring to you our joyful songs
in the everyday moments of our lives;
that your name might be glorified
through our words and lives.
Amen
Heavenly God,
you gifted this world
and made us stewards of it,
gave us family from many lands
and ask us to care for them,
put your word upon our heart
and ask that we share it.
But we have thought only of ourselves
and the blessings of our lives,
forgetting that your grace
and love are for the benefit of all.
Forgive our selfishness,
enlarge our vision,
and enable us to be
the people we could be,
faithful servants
of our heavenly King
You call us to love
as you love,
care as you care,
seek justice,
mercy and truth
in a world that has yet to feel
the warmth of your embrace.
But we fail to heed your call,
draw back from those in need,
say nothing when we see
injustice.
Become invisible.
Forgive us, you whose love
is better than life,
you whose Grace extends to all.
Forgive us, and enable us
to be the people we could be,
that your name might be
on the lips of all people.
Amen
God of all ages,
who from generation to generation
has heard the cries of your children
humbly seeking forgiveness,
and has welcomed sinners
back into your embrace,
hear the thoughts of our hearts,
examine our motives,
and forgive us our faults.
We ask this through your Son
who died and rose that we might know
the true cost of forgiveness.
AMEN
Who is there like you,
God of mercy and grace
who loves us as you do?
Who knows and understands
our actions as you do?
Who hears the thoughts and words
of our heart as you do?
Who knows our joys and sorrows
and shares them as you do?
Who feels the pain we endure
and comforts us as you do?
Who hears as we confess our sins
and forgives as you do?
Who takes a broken heart
and makes it whole as you do?
Who finds a life that’s lost
and welcomes it home as you do?
Who is there like you,
God of mercy and grace
who loves us as you do?
Bring to my sinfulness
the cleansing waters of your forgiveness
that having washed
I might know refreshment and release.
Forgive me those times
when I consider myself to be of little value
Remind me constantly
that you died for me before I even knew you.
I want to move forward with you, Lord
but I am held back by burdens I carry
afraid to let go, lessen the load,
let myself become vulnerable
to be loved and in turn love,
to receive and in turn give.
I want to move forward with you, Lord
but my ways are often not your ways.
Open my heart to forgiveness,
and let it touch the hearts of others,
that all might be blessed
and in turn become a blessing.
For those whose hearts are troubled
or spirits crushed
by sin or circumstance,
Good Lord, deliver them.
Bring healing and wholeness
of mind, body and spirit,
and freedom
to be the person
they were always meant to be.
Remind me when my life falls apart
that you are an expert in the art
of restoration.
Forgive me for the things I have done
and not done.
Forgive me for the things I have said
and not said.
Forgive me for the life I have lived
and not lived.
That I might reflect the image
of the one I profess to follow
in thought, and word and deed
and in discovering my true self
draw others into that light.
Yours is the voice I long to hear
the footsteps I would follow.
Yours is the grace I need to know
the love to be discovered.
Yours is the warmth I long to feel
the presence of a Saviour.
Yours is the vision I would see
the promise of tomorrow.
