This morning I was privileged to lead the confession and assurance during worship at Hamilton (MI) CRC. I share here the words and prayer I led.
In the church year, today is Christ the King Sunday. This is a Sunday to remember that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. And it is a day to remember Christ must reign in our hearts, minds, and bodies. But as we look at our hearts, minds, and bodies, we see how we have set ourselves up as king. Let us confess that sin before God and each other.
Gracious God,
You gave Jesus the highest name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.
But so often we refuse to bow. We want to stand and be our own lords.
Our hearts are full of pride that thinks first of ourselves.
We are selfish with our time, our abilities, and our money.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.
Our minds do not always acknowledge your kingdom.
We assume that we are right and everyone else is wrong.
We use our minds to judge people who are different from us
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.
We use our bodies for our own purposes instead your purposes.
We use our bodies to hurt other people and your good creation.
We also do harm to our bodies by not caring for them well.
Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy.
In your great mercy and love, forgive us, Lord. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Even though we rebel against Jesus’ kingdom, God still loves us. Hear these words: (Recited by two young boys from the congregation)
1 John 4:10-11
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
People of God, know that you are forgiven and live at peace.
Photo by Jason Train. Used under a Creative Commons License.
