(Confession) Acknowledgement of our sin and need for grace, drawn from Isaiah 55:7: 

Let the wicked forsake his way 

And the unrighteous man his thoughts; 

And let him return to the Lord, 

And He will have compassion on him, 

And to our God, 

For He will abundantly pardon.

Father,  
You are the Lord of the universe, supreme in holiness and alone worthy of all worship. You created Adam and sent him forth to do your will in the Garden, and Adam turned from your way and pursued the gods of self-will, self-determination, and self-exaltation. We, too, run to worship Adam’s gods, and we ratify his rebellion in our outward actions and our innermost thoughts, pursuing fellowship with those who likewise despise you, despising your holy judgment on our rebellion as unwarranted and unjust, and at every moment plotting and striking “against the crown and dignity of the Almighty.” 

We thank you that in our sinning, miserable, and rebellious condition, you did not leave us to ourselves. In your sovereign compassion, you have provided your Son to live the life of obedience and worship that we cannot live, to take the punishment of agonizing death and removal from your presence that we deserved. 

As we are gathered together today, we pray that you would use the Gospel to stir up a sharp and unflagging conviction of sin among us, and may it drive us to pursue repentance and the restored relationship that is ours in Christ Jesus. “We thank you on the bended knees of our souls, O most merciful Jehovah, that your patience has waited on us”, that you are not stingy in your salvation, but that all our transgressions are covered fully by Christ’s atoning work. We marvel at your eternal mercy and generosity as we have witnessed the great flood of grace that has brought sinners to repentance and into this very congregation. 

We rejoice in your power over our sin, recognizing that we are daily in need of your grace in every aspect of our lives as we exult in our salvation, pursue sanctification, and look expectantly for our glorification.  
 
As we gaze on this past week and see the great testimony of your pardon and grace in Christ Jesus, may your forgiveness fuel our prayer, our singing, our giving, and our submission to your Word, today.

This we pray in Christ’s name, Amen