Prayer of Confession
(based on Psalm 51)
One: Have mercy on us, O God, because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion, forgive us.
Free us from the guilt that weighs us down,
from the sin that controls us.
Two: We have sinned against you,
and done what is wrong in your eyes.
We are well aware of the wrong we do:
the words we speak which wound,
the unloving thoughts and actions
which hurt others and ourselves.
We know that these things distance us from you,
and keep us from recognizing your life in us.
Forgive us.
(Optional sung response)
One: You desire complete honesty from us.
We know that nothing can be hidden from you.
And so we lay open our hearts to you now—
we lay before you those things for which we need your forgiveness,
and those things from which we long to be set free.
Gracious God, enter our hearts.
Teach us what it means to have you at the center of our lives.
Two: God, we need your mercy and forgiveness.
Only you can make us whole again;
only you can fill us with lasting joy,
only you can transform our weakness into strength.
O God, look no longer on our past mistakes,
but on the aspirations and longing of our hearts.
(Optional sung response)
One: Create in us clean hearts, O God,
open and receptive to your Spirit.
Two: Create in us clean hearts, O God,
washed clean from bitter thoughts,
from shame, guilt, envy and anger.
One: Create in us clean hearts, O God,
free from anxiety about the past or the future,
confident in the presence of your Holy Spirit,
and in your gift of peace.
Two: Create in us clean hearts, O God,
cleansed by your mercy, and made strong by your love.
(Optional sung response)
One: Loving and merciful God,
All: we have so little to bring to You.
But what we have, we willingly give:
our humble spirits and contrite hearts.
We long to be your disciples,
to follow your path for our lives,
and to share with others
the good news of your love and mercy.
Words of Assurance
(based on Psalm 103:8)
Two: Our God is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, full of unfailing love.
Today, receive God’s forgiveness.
All: Thanks be to God!
(Optional song of thanksgiving, praise)
For other prayers of confession, see the Confession & Assurance Index at the upper right side of the page.
