Why do followers of Jesus take time to regularly confess their sins to God? The regular discipline of confession enables us to grasp more fully the beauty and wonder of grace as we are made continually aware of the depth of our need of God’s unmerited favor. Christopher Ash explains: We desire “to encourage self-examination … Continue reading Taking Time to Examine Yourself
confession of sin
Grasping the Wonder of Grace
“For every one look you take at your sin, take ten looks at Jesus.” Robert Murray M’Cheyne spoke these words to his congregation in Scotland in the early 1800s. We do well to heed M’Cheyne’s counsel as we regularly confess our sins to the Lord and experience anew the assurance of forgiveness. The regular discipline … Continue reading Grasping the Wonder of Grace
A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday
Merciful Father, we meet each other today at the foot of the cross. We wait with each other as those who inflict wounds on one another: Have mercy on us. As those who spurn Your love for other loves: Be merciful to us. As those who put our trust in power and prestige: Be merciful … Continue reading A Prayer of Confession for Good Friday
Barabbas and Jesus – A Prayer of Confession of Sin
Luke 23:18 - But they all cried out together, “Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas (whose name means 'son of the father').” 23:22 - A third time he [Pilate] said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. God, our heavenly Father, we … Continue reading Barabbas and Jesus – A Prayer of Confession of Sin
Putting on Airs vs. Putting on Armor
A Prayer of Confession Gracious heavenly Father, we confess that we put on airs more often than we put on Your armor. Forgive us for our self-promotion, self-protection and self-reliance. Pardon us for not cherishing and trusting in Your gifts of righteousness, faith, and salvation during times of temptation and spiritual conflict. Transform us by … Continue reading Putting on Airs vs. Putting on Armor
In the Presence of a Holy God – Isaiah 6
It was a devastating blow. Like all devoted citizens, Isaiah had venerated King Uzziah. For fifty-two years, King Uzziah had led Judah in an administration of peace and prosperity. It was an era of expansion and achievement. Now he was dead. The throne sat empty. It was unfortunate that the king had rebelled against the … Continue reading In the Presence of a Holy God – Isaiah 6
Prayer of Confession by Martin Luther
Behold, Lord, I am an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it. I am weak in faith; Strengthen me. I am cold in love; Warm me and make me fervent that my love may go out to my neighbor. I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I … Continue reading Prayer of Confession by Martin Luther
Word-Saturated Worship
Scripture suffuses every part of our worship services. We call one another to our awesome task of worshipping God with Scripture. We sing God’s praise with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs in order to make God’s Word memorable and vivid. The Spirit uses God’s Word to convict us of sin and to show us our … Continue reading Word-Saturated Worship
Prepare Your Heart for Worship
Here is a simple prayer to pray through and reflect upon as you prepare to worship God personally and with others. It is based upon the beautiful hymn: "May the Mind of Christ My Savior." Almighty God, may my worship of you cause the mind of Christ to be more fully present in me this … Continue reading Prepare Your Heart for Worship
Psalm 32
Psalm 32 instructs us that the only people who are truly happy are those who experience God’s forgiveness. Therefore, the refusal to openly confess our sins leads only to spiritual and physical misery. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, … Continue reading Psalm 32
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