Here’s an act of confession suitable for use in the Advent season.
Prayer of Confession (John 1, Isaiah 64)
Merciful God,
how many John the Baptists,
how many prophets of your light,
have we ignored
because they were not what we were looking for?
How many times have we ignored voices
crying in the wilderness,
"Make straight the way of the Lord."
How many times have we breathed a sigh of relief,
and turned our backs on your messengers,
because they did not speak the message
we expected to hear?
Help us hear anew,
the cry of those who would lead us to Christ.
Tune our ears to your heralds,
that we might also testify to your light. Amen.
how many John the Baptists,
how many prophets of your light,
have we ignored
because they were not what we were looking for?
How many times have we ignored voices
crying in the wilderness,
"Make straight the way of the Lord."
How many times have we breathed a sigh of relief,
and turned our backs on your messengers,
because they did not speak the message
we expected to hear?
Help us hear anew,
the cry of those who would lead us to Christ.
Tune our ears to your heralds,
that we might also testify to your light. Amen.
Words of Assurance: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
May the God of peace sanctify you completely.
And may your whole spirit, soul, and body
And may your whole spirit, soul, and body
be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who calls you is faithful.
It is the Lord who will do this.
The one who calls you is faithful.
It is the Lord who will do this.
— adapted from The Abingdon Worship Annual 2008, © 2007 Abingdon Press by B.J. Beu. Posted on the Ministry Matters 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.
