I am sitting at church listening to the other members chatting nearby a counter with brownies and other snacks. Here is the group confession for today.
“God, our provider, help us. It is hard to believe there is enough to share. We question your ways when they differ from the ways of the world in which we live. We turn to our own understanding rather than trusting in you. We take offense at your teachings and your ways. Turn us again to you. Where else can we turn? Share with us the words of eternal life and feed us for life in the world. Amen.
The line about believing that “there is enough to share” made me think of how greedy we get sometimes. I feel more secure when I have money saved up. But, I think some people get to the point that they constantly need more and more in order to feel safe. I like the fact that this guides me to pray for the ability to feel safe in what I have while I share some of it with others.
My church has a confession that we read aloud near the start of our services.
This is one of my former pastors.
“Most merciful God, we confess that we are captive to sin and cannot free ourselves. We have sinned against you in thought,word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved out neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name. Amen.”
During the moments of silence, I try to itemize my sins of the week. Sometimes, I can’t think of any while I remember getting angry with someone on some weeks. I appreciate the fact that my church encourages me and other members to reflect on their past week for moments when we fell short of the glory of God.
This is followed up by my pastor reading a statement forgiving us of our sins. I know that a pastor can’t forgive sin. Only God can forgive sin. It is a great reminder of how forgiving God is due to the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us regardless of our church affiliation.
“In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for us, and for his sake God forgives us all our sins. As a called and ordained minister of the church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” (Evangelical Lutheran Worship, 2006)
What sins do you feel the need to confess?
If you feel very guilty and have repeatedly confessed and repented, consider having a one-on-one confession with a pastor. Sometimes, another person re-assuring you that you are forgiven can help you to let go of the guilt. Carrying guilt around can be too hard for you to carry. Trust me, I sometimes joke that I am a walking guilt trip.
