Sunday, January 03, 2010

Confession of Sin

Here is the confession of sin that our church used in our liturgy this morning. It really struck me as one that hits at the heart of "older brother" types like me.

Leader: Lord, please forgive our sins and set us free from them. We confess to the sin of pride:
People: We have been sure of our own goodness and importance and have looked down on others. Help us to appreciate the true worth of other people.

Leader: We confess to the sin of envy:
People: We have been displeased when others have been more successful or sought after than we have been. Help us to rejoice when others prosper.

Leader: We confess to the sin of anger:
People: We have lost our tempers, nursed grievances, and withheld forgiveness from others. Help us to be patient and understanding with everyone.

Leader: We confess to the sin of self-indulgence:
People: We have had enough, and more, yet have neglected the needs of others. Help us to deny ourselves so that others may not be in want.

Leader: We confess to the sin of unchastity:
People: In one way or another we have used your gift of sex wrongly. Help us to create and uphold right relations between men and women, inside marriage and outside it.

Leader: We confess to the sin of laziness:
People: We have been lukewarm in our faith. Make us eager to do your will.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

Promise of Forgiveness: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24

2 comments:

marmielu said...

These are very thought provoking - would be good for personal reflection any time.
Mary Lou

Annette said...

I found these so good, I am guilty of having enough but wanting so much more, don't believe i should have to deny myself, not rejoicing in other's success, lukewarm in my faith -- just to name a few of the specific sins I confessed on Sunday.