This prayer of confession originally appeared in "Our Living Guarantee: A Six Week Series for Easter (Year C)."
Prayer of Confession
Note: This prayer of confession based on Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 45 was originally a part of a six-week series in which the sentence in italics was changed each week to reflect the scripture theme. For use apart from that series, consider using whichever of the sentences in italics is most fitting to your context.
Almighty God, who raised up your Son, Jesus, overcoming death that we might also share in his righteousness, we confess that we have not lived as people already raised to new life. We have forgotten the guarantee of our own glorious resurrection.
We have been so caught up in the shadows of old, corrupt creation around us, that we fail to see the light of your glorious New Creation in our midst.
We have been timid in proclaiming your new creation, more ready to believe the bad news of the world than the good news of your Word.
We have been so focused on the world's path, the path to what we think we should do, that we cannot see your better path, the path to what we might become.
We too easily forget that you are always caring for us, and so, in our fear, we too often put our own interests over the good of all.
We lose sight of the abundance of your love for us, and we hoard the gifts you give us, and cut ourselves off from receiving anything else.
We have forgotten that, no matter what happens, the final victory is yours, and we resign ourselves too easily to the powers of this world.
Merciful God, forgive our sins and make us bolder disciples. Help us to be courageous and daring, rather than compromising and shallow. Help us to live as people anticipating life and victory, rather than shrinking from death and despair. Resurrect us to your new life once again, dear God, in the name of Jesus Christ, living by your side and in our hearts. Amen.
