Here’s a prayer of
confession for Palm Sunday from Moira Laidlaw.
Prayer of Confession
(based on Matthew 21:1-11, Mark
11:1-11; Luke 19:29-44; John 12:12-19)
Lord Jesus Christ,
we praise you with heart and life and voice,
not only with outward signs such as palm branches
or the occasional “Hosanna”, but with lives truly turned
towards you.
It seems such a distance
from this present day Palm Sunday
to that day when you
entered Jerusalem
with the shouts of the crowd ringing in your ears.
Welcomed as a king, yet riding on a lowly donkey.
Welcomed as a king, yet riding on a lowly donkey.
Greeted with cheers and acclamations
which were so soon to turn to jeers and condemnation.
From this side
of the resurrection,
we confidently believe that we could never have been
part of the jeering crowd—but would we, if we had been there?
(silent reflection)
Lord Jesus Christ,
when our words and actions reflect a reluctance
to confess you publicly as Lord of our lives:
Forgive us.
When we fear that humbling ourselves, would be seen by others as weakness,
to confess you publicly as Lord of our lives:
Forgive us.
When we fear that humbling ourselves, would be seen by others as weakness,
or some kind of defect in our character:
Forgive us.
When we have betrayed your love for us through our lack of love for you,
Forgive us.
When we have betrayed your love for us through our lack of love for you,
for others, and for ourselves :
Forgive us.
When we find ourselves glossing over the events of your passion and death
Forgive us.
When we find ourselves glossing over the events of your passion and death
because we look forward to Easter as a time to enjoy holidays
and have fun.
Forgive us.
Lord Jesus Christ, fix your mind in us; and remake us in your likeness;
Forgive us.
Lord Jesus Christ, fix your mind in us; and remake us in your likeness;
empty us of all that hinders us from following you
to where pain and suffering, exploitation and injustice exist.
Gracious and loving God,
Gracious and loving God,
empower us with the Holy Spirit
so that our lives continually glorify you
and our tongues forever confess Jesus as Lord.
This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Assurance of Forgiveness (Philippians 2:6-8)
Assurance of Forgiveness (Philippians 2:6-8)
Hear the good news:
“Jesus,
though he was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God as something
to be exploited,
but
emptied himself, taking the form
of a slave...
and
became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.”
even death on a cross.”
Through his obedience
we are therefore freed from whatever sin enslaves us.
Thanks be to God!
we are therefore freed from whatever sin enslaves us.
Thanks be to God!
