Be Encouraged - The General Confession

Bill and I have been going to a new church for about 6 months now, and when we first started I was struck most by the incredible language that is used in the liturgy. I mean, it really floored me. I kept finding myself thinking about how rich every word was, and how much truth each one held as well. I want to share pieces of the service with you in the coming months and I hope that in these excerpts you can also find the peace that washed over me.

Prior to this particular passage, we always read a passage of God's Law directly from the Bible, and I will share what comes after this with you soon (which is the prayer after the silent confession time). As a church body, we read this out loud, in unison. PLEASE concentrate on every word and drink it in. The first time we read through it I thought the language was a little harsh, but what I am realizing is that that is my defensive nature. It is truth and we need to wrap our heads around it. I actually do find this encouraging because it reminds me that I am not alone in this life of struggle unless I place myself in an unattainable position which leaves too much room for denial of my weak heart and mind.

General Confession: Our Father, we are sinful and you are holy. We recognize that we have heard in your Law difficult words, knowing how often we have offended you in thought, word and deed, not only by obvious violation, but by failing to conform to its perfect commands, by what we have left done and by what we have left undone. There is nothing in us that gives us reason for hope, for where we thought we were well, we are sick in soul. Where we thought we were holy, we are in truth unholy and ungrateful. Our hearts are filled with the love of the world; our minds are dark and are assailed by doubts; our wills are too often given to selfishness and our bodies to laziness and unrighteousness. By sinning against our neighbors, we have also sinned against you, in whose image they were created. In this time of silent confession we bring you our particular sins.

There is nothing I would love more than some feedback on this.

Share your hearts with me friends!

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