There is a notable pattern to many of the worship encounters that we find in the Bible. For example, the prophet Isaiah’s encounter with the great God of heaven in Isaiah 6 offers us a three fold cycle for corporate and personal worship: Praise-Pardon-Petition. This pattern serves as a broad structure to our church's worship … Continue reading A Three-fold Cycle of Worship
confession of sin
Growing in Humility
In one of his ordination charges given while Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael Ramsey offered some wise and practical advice on how to grow in humility: First, thank God, often and always... Thank God, carefully and wonderingly, for your continuing privileges and for every experience of his goodness. Thankfulness is a soil in which pride does … Continue reading Growing in Humility
Unburdening Our Hearts with the Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. . . . [Let us confess the ways that we have been infatuated with making our name great rather than our Father’s] Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. . . . [Let us confess the ways that we have pursued … Continue reading Unburdening Our Hearts with the Lord’s Prayer
Confessing Our Sin… Experiencing His Grace
Gracious Father, to enrich us will not diminish your fullness for all your lovingkindness is in your Son. We come pleading His blood to pay for our debts of wrong. Accept his worthiness for our unworthiness; his sinlessness for our transgression; his purity for our uncleanness; his sincerity for our hypocrisy; his truth for our … Continue reading Confessing Our Sin… Experiencing His Grace
Confession of Sin – Palm Sunday
Forgiving Father, Your Son came as the gentle King of Glory. He rode a donkey not a stallion. He humbled and sacrificed himself in order to bring us peace with You. We confess our own lack of humility. Forgive us for the lack of gentleness in our lives. Our harsh words have stirred up strife … Continue reading Confession of Sin – Palm Sunday
Confession of Sin – The Emmaus Walk
This prayer of confession of sin is based upon Luke 24 which chronicles the Emmaus walk. O Almighty God, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, we are unworthy of Your redeeming grace. We have not believed Your promises, nor trusted in You, our living Lord. Through worldliness of spirit, we have not … Continue reading Confession of Sin – The Emmaus Walk
Confessing Our Sins Together – based upon Luke 16:19-31
AFFIRMING JUSTICE AND MERCY “Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. “But let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” - Amos 5:23-24 He has show you O man; What is good and what does the Lord require … Continue reading Confessing Our Sins Together – based upon Luke 16:19-31
Prayer of Confession of Sin – Based on Luke 12:32-48
Generous Father, Giving causes You great happiness. Thank you for gladly desiring to give us the Kingdom of Heaven. Forgive us for doubting Your generous heart. We battle unbelief and even sweat the small stuff. Fears and anxieties about temporal things consume us: What we eat, what we drink, what we wear. How we look, … Continue reading Prayer of Confession of Sin – Based on Luke 12:32-48
Why do we corporately confess our sins in public worship?
Here's a excellent and brief explanation by Carl Trueman in his article entitled, "A Word to the Conscience." It can access the article in its entirety here: http://thegospelcoalition.org/themelios At some point prior to the sermon each Sunday in my church, the minister or elder leading the service will read a passage of Scripture designed to … Continue reading Why do we corporately confess our sins in public worship?