Confession: October 9, 2011

Here is a prayer of confession based on Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, two of the lectionary texts for October 9, 2011 (Proper 23A).  It was written by Joan Stott.

Prayers of Confession

(based on Exodus 32:1-14 and Psalm 106: 1-6, 19-23)

God of the ages, and God of all generations,

we come before you—

rather ashamed of our actions, our hopes,

and plans for the future in the frenzied pace of our life.

We have not given space or time for the wonder of worshipping you—

we are just like our ancestors who have gone before us!

We have not placed you at the centre of our life,

or at the centre of our heart and mind.

We have not learned from either our ancestors’ mistakes,

or our own mistakes.
Merciful God, heal us, forgive us and renew us.

Generous God,

we seek your mercy for the times we make excuses for ourselves;

when we conveniently forget that you speak to us

through our hearts, minds, and consciences

to guide us in our decision making.
We seek your gracious blessings,

even though we have been blind

to the reminders of your presence with us;

we have hardened our hearts in our busyness;
and neglected our suffering and despairing neighbours.
Merciful God, heal us, forgive us and renew us.

Comforting God,

we come as individuals with our own sin;

but we also come as a community with our communal sin.

Each of us are burdened with the memories of past sin;

of past shared sinfulness,

when we have turned our eyes away

from the wonder and majesty of our Guiding God,

and our life’s choices are contrary to the ways of God.
We come with heavy hearts

to lay before you our shared and individual sin,

aware that we have failed each other and you.
Merciful God, heal us, forgive us and renew us. Amen.

— written by Joan Stott. If used in shared worship, please provide an acknowledgement as follows:
Copyright © 2011 Joan Stott – "The Timeless Psalms" RCL Psalm Year A, used with permission. Posted on the Geelong City Parish, UCA website.