Lord, as we sang just now of your holiness, we are reminded that you alone are holy and that we most certainly are not 

Our hearts are marred by sin. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from the guilt of our sin. We do not have the power, apart from you to cleanse ourselves of sin’s stains. We claim no righteousness, but instead hide in your grace. Washed by the precious blood of our Savior-our hearts sprinkled clean. 

As the psalmist David proclaims regarding his own egregious sin: Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit, there is no deceit. 

Help us to recognize and confess our iniquity and deceit this morning and throughout each day that we may be cleansed of it. When we hold on to our sin- when we keep silent, it brings only misery. 

David reminds us that day and night your hand will be heavy upon us in our guilt-Our strength will fail us. But when we acknowledge our sin to you, and do not seek to cover our iniquity-you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from our unrighteousness. Therefore, this morning, we offer our prayer of confession to you. 

Many are the sorrows of the wicked-of those who pursue sin, 

But your steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in you O Lord. 

This morning, may we be glad in the you, and rejoice.  

May steadfast love and faithfulness not forsake us; 

    Let us bind them around our necks; 

    And write them on the tablet of our hearts. 

Help us to trust in you O Lord with all our hearts, 

    and to not lean on our own understanding. 

May we acknowledge you in all our ways, 

And as you promised, you will make our paths straight. 

May we not be wise in our own eyes but instead fear you, O Lord, and turn away from evil. 

And as you promised and have demonstrated to us, when we do, it will be healing to our flesh and refreshment to our bones all the days we have on this earth. 

Lord, pour out your mercy on us and grant us repentance today and every day. 

Cause us to be humble and to turn our hearts to you that we may honor and glorify you with our lives - Amen