A Prayer of Confession for Congregational Use
We are thankful to Marja Fledderus of Ancaster, Ontario for authoring the prayer below. It is another installment in our Lenten series as we lament and repent over how we have come to this place where division threatens the church. Feel free to use it in congregational or group settings.
Lift me, lift me Jesus. Amen.
Lift me, lift me Jesus. Amen.
Beloved Friend, there is nothing we experience that you do not know. Grief, pain, suffering, discouragement—you knew all these things. Even the temptations we face, you knew. Although you did not sin, you were tempted to sin. It is a comfort that you know how difficult resisting sin can be. And it is our shame that we fall again and again into temptation.
Merciful Saviour, guide us away from temptation,
People: And deliver us from evil.
Help me, help me Jesus. Amen.
Help me, help me Jesus. Amen.
We lay before you the things that tempt us acutely:
hot tempers and cold shoulders
addictions
corruptions in the workplace
laziness in mind or body
sexual sins
poking at old wounds and stirring up grudges
turning a blind eye
Merciful Saviour, guide us away from temptation,
People: And deliver us from evil.
Save me, save me Jesus. Amen.
Save me, save me Jesus. Amen.
We lay before you the sin that stains the world and tempts us to doubt or despair:
injustice in the core systems of society
poverty, war, displacement
disease and death
broken relationships
natural disaster and climate change
overt and systemic racism
fatigue, discouragement, mental anguish
Merciful Saviour, guide us away from temptation,
People: And deliver us from evil.
Bless me, bless me Jesus. Amen.
Bless me, bless me Jesus. Amen.
We lay our gifts and resources before you, that may tempt us to selfishness or greed.
Help us to use:
our power – to bless the disadvantaged
our wealth – to uplift the poor
our faith – to walk with and bolster those who struggle
our health – to expend our energy for those in need
our wellness – to serve
our voice – to speak against injustice
our joy – to share with the ones we meet
Merciful Saviour, guide us away from temptation,
People: And deliver us from evil.
Heal me, heal me Jesus. Amen.
Heal me, heal me Jesus. Amen.
For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Written by Marja Fledderus - Ancaster, Ontario
