Please find below the notes from the Elder's Prayer this past Sunday.

One of the most powerful passages in all of Scripture regarding unconfessed sin is found in Psalm 32. In Psalm 32 David describes the contrast between confessed and unconfessed sin and its effect on the sinner -- beginning in verse 1:

¹ Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. ² Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2)

To confess and forsake sin is to be forgiven by God through the blood of Christ and thereby blessed. But what happens when we hold on to sin and try to hide it or bear its weight alone? -- Verse 3:

³ For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. ⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. ⁵ I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:3-5)

It's as the writer of Proverbs states in chapter 28 verse 13: Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

That is the cycle of the Christian life, isn't it? Sin, confession, repentance. The more we walk with Christ, the quicker we begin to recognize our sin, not just in our actions, but in our hearts.

When we increasingly learn to respond quickly to sin by confessing and forsaking it, we obtain God's mercy -- the weight is lifted, one look at sin, for every 10 looks at the Cross.

- Thoughts by Mark Krystinyak.

Let's pray.

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, maker of all things, judge of all men: We have gone our own way, not loving you as we ought, nor loving our neighbors as ourselves.

We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against you, our divine Majesty, provoking most justly your wrath and indignation against us.

We have also sinned against you in what we have failed to do.

We deserve your condemnation. Father, forgive us.

We do earnestly repent, and grieve for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable.

Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer adopted from Anglican book of prayer.