A Pouring Confession

Here’s a prayer of confession on a water theme.  It comes from the Leader website.

A Pouring Confession

Supplies needed:
  • Five clear glass containers of varied shapes, each 2/3 full of water
  • A tall clear glass container large enough to hold all or most of the water in the five small containers
  • A large glass bowl
  • Small votive holders with white or off-white candles

Set up:
Off to the side of the main visual environment, place a table covered a dark cloth (blue or purple). Place the empty glass bowl at one end. At the other end of the table, place the tall glass container. In between, arrange the five clear glass containers filled with water. Two readers read the following prayer antiphonally; a third person stands behind the table to pour out the water with each confession.

Prayer of Confession

1 & 2:   Let us confess the excuses we have made
            for not living in the reality of the kingdom of God:
(pause)

1:         For our blindness to the needs of others
2:         and our preoccupation with our own agenda,

Water is slowly poured from one of the small containers into the tall glass one as the congregation sings “Kyrie” (Lord, have mercy), or something similar.

1:         for our failure to pay attention to the still, small voice in our lives,
2:         for our surrender to fear and self-protection,

Water is slowly poured from one of the small containers into the tall glass one as the congregation sings “Kyrie” (Lord, have mercy), or something similar.

1:         for harsh words spoken to our friends,
2:         and love withheld from our enemies,

Water is slowly poured from one of the small containers into the tall glass one as the congregation sings “Kyrie” (Lord, have mercy), or something similar.

1:         for seeking success rather than faithfulness,
2:         for praying without acting,

Water is slowly poured from one of the small containers into the tall glass one as the congregation sings “Kyrie” (Lord, have mercy), or something similar.

1:         For our life choices this week
2:         that have not contributed to greater love and justice in the world.

Water is slowly poured from one of the small containers into the tall glass one as the congregation sings “Kyrie” (Lord, have mercy), or something similar.

While the next lines of the prayer are offered, the person who has been pouring water lifts the large water-filled container and slowly pours all the water into the large bowl.)

1:         O Lord,
            you are our strength and our might;
            you have become our salvation.
2:         Listen to what God says:
            “I have taken away the judgments against you;
            I will remove disaster from you,
            so that you will not bear reproach for it.”

1 & 2:   With joy we will draw water from the wells of salvation.

~ “A Pouring Confession” comes from Fall 2012 Advent-Epiphany Resources on the Leader website. http://www.leaderonline.org/supplement.htm