reflections about life and the randomness that follows

At the beginning of this month, Jack wrote about his “Ideal Church Service.” In his second point, he stated that he believes that a time of congregational confession is important and should be included in the worship service.

Though Jack is Presbyterian; the United Methodist Church and the Lutheran Church agree with him, as do I. Found in the United Methodist Hymnal, are “Prayers of Confession and Pardon.” It is a public prayer of confession. However, you could very easily change the congregational wording to “I’s” and “me’s” for your own personal use. I would encourage you to meditate on the following words carefully. The following is hymn number 891.

Prayer of Confession:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your name. Amen.

Pardon:

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It is in the name of Christ that we are forgiven.