Here’s an Advent prayer of confession written by Nathan Nettleton, and posted on his Laughingbird.net website.
Prayer of Confession for Advent
O God, you search us out and know us,
and all that we are is open to you.
We confess that we have sinned:
and all that we are is open to you.
We confess that we have sinned:
In your mercy, Lord,
forgive us and heal us.
forgive us and heal us.
When we scoff at those who await your return,
and live as though you were never here:
and live as though you were never here:
In your mercy, Lord,
forgive us and heal us.
forgive us and heal us.
When we long for your coming to change the world,
and yet are unwilling to change even our own hearts:
and yet are unwilling to change even our own hearts:
In your mercy, Lord,
forgive us and heal us.
forgive us and heal us.
When we do not make straight paths for justice,
nor offer a welcome when you come as a stranger:
nor offer a welcome when you come as a stranger:
In your mercy, Lord,
forgive us and heal us.
forgive us and heal us.
When we dismiss prophets and angels
and refuse to nourish your seed within us:
and refuse to nourish your seed within us:
In your mercy, Lord,
forgive us and heal us.
forgive us and heal us.
When we reduce our preparation for your coming
to reckless expense and trivialities:
to reckless expense and trivialities:
In your mercy, Lord,
forgive us and heal us.
forgive us and heal us.
We turn to you,
O God of infinite mercy;
O God of infinite mercy;
We renounce evil;
We claim your love;
We choose to be made whole.
We claim your love;
We choose to be made whole.
— written by Nathan Nettleton, and posted on his Laughingbird.net website.
For more worship resources for the season of Advent, see this index of Advent Worship Resources, or click on Advent 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
For more confession resources, click on Confession or Words of Assurance in the list of “Labels” at the lower right, or see the Confession/Assurance index at the upper right.
