Father, hear the prayer we offer:
Not for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength, that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.

Not for ever in green pastures
Do we ask our way to be;
But the steep and rugged pathway
May we tread rejoicingly.

Not forever by still waters
Would we idly rest and stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wanderings be our Guide;
Through endeavour, failure, danger,
Savior, be thou at our side.

CCCLI : 59593

Original Article Here

Almighty God, Giver of Work and Rest,
I awake, and I am with you.
My commute is a trudge from bed to desk,
a stepping over toys and garments,
feet that feel like miles.
Ready my body to face unfamiliar tasks in this familiar place.
My eyes are prone to wander alone.
My ears are prone to hear my flesh over your Spirit.
My lips are prone to curse and lash.
My fingers and back are prone to cramp and complain.
My nose is prone to forget that every breath comes from you.
Let my eyes keep watch with you with care.
Let my ears hear the birds raise their carols to you.
Let my lips be patient on conference calls and voicemails.
Let my fingers and back find relaxation under tension.
Let my nose relish the home-brewed tea and remember.
O omnipotent and omnipresent Carpenter,
you who fashioned the lumber of the land,
you who breathed life into us from the dust,
you who are crafting this world anew,
build in me a confidence that I am your temple.
Make my heart believe that you are intersecting
the heavens and the earth in my very being.
As I rely on technology to traverse the world outside my dwelling,
let your Holy Spirit minister to the souls and bodies I email and call.
Though I am absent in the flesh, make others present with you through me.
Help me to notice the emotions in their eyes on a videoconference.
Help me to give care to the tones and tremors in their voices.
You who made time and space and planted us to live and work within them,
let my love for my coworkers and customers not be bound by proximity,
but rather let my finite self trust in your infinite good pleasure.
O beloved Intercessor who never slumbers or sleeps,
allow my midday rhythms of rest to be an act of prayer.
As I fix food and refill my glass, give me pause to give thanks.
As I sip water to quench my thirst,
as I taste leftovers to satisfy my stomach,
fill my teammates,
my boss,
my clients,
my suppliers,
my acquaintances with good gifts.
As the sun begins to fade and the lull of afternoon approaches,
help me.
Help me to view children as blessings to receive, not as obstacles to overcome.
Help me to have energy to engage, to decide, to create, to innovate.
Help me to persevere unto the end, knowing that you are my strength and song.
Jesus, my Lord and my friend--
hiccups in communication assail me,
deadlines loom dark like the shadows on my floor,
the deafening emptiness of this room threatens my confidence,
and I feel utterly alone.
Jesus, my comfort and my companion--
do not let me continue to consume the bread of anxious toil.
Prepare a table before me in the presence of my fear.
Shepherd me into pastures of faith,
streams of dependence,
and valleys of resting in your everlasting mercy.
When the time comes for me to close the laptop,
turn off the lights,
and exit the email,
empower me to want to do this all again tomorrow.
Help me see what you see in my work.
Help me see you at work.
Just as you have transformed my house into an office,
be faithful now to transform it into a home again.
I beseech you to do these things,
because I need you to do them,
because only you can do them,
and because you are good.
Amen.

Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:31-35 NRSV)

If we take a minute to think about what might have been going through the mind of Cleopas and his unnamed companion as they began their walk from Jerusalem to Emmaus, the contrast to their return journey just a few verses (and hours) later could not be sharper. From a place of hopelessness and despair at the loss of their friend and leader, to sheer joy and excitement at the realisation that all that was said about Jesus is true! God's saviour overcoming the power of sin and death with the promise of new life for anyone who believes in him.  

When I'm around post-primary schools as much as I am...or at least as I was until recently, it is easy to notice things in the way that pupils walk into school or between classes. Some will bounce around, the life of the party, excitedly chatting to friends. Others will walk quietly and still others move reluctantly, as if each footstep costs them something. The passage above from Luke's gospel helps to remind us that the world throws both the good and the bad at us. That some days our walk will be carefree and on others it will be costly. The same can be true in our walk with God. 

I love how the conversation between Jesus and the two companions on the road to Emmaus spurs the pair on. Before they know it they've reached the house they're going to. And when they reflect on what has happened, later on, they say as much: Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road? (24:32) The impact that meeting with Jesus has on our lives can never be underestimated. And the impact that Jesus can have on the lives of the young men and women in our schools can never be underestimated. By bringing that presence of Jesus into schools we hope to enable these young people to make the choice of asking Jesus to walk alongside them through the tough times and the good. 

So much has happened in just a couple of months. Like these followers of Jesus you might be feeling unsettled or anxious. Perhaps you're grieving the loss of certain freedoms, or maybe something more than this. I hope and pray that you are not. Yet in these darkest of moments we look towards the light. The light of life who broke the curse of darkness. Who rose from the grave and immediately sought to comfort those he loved. The one who loves us and calls us by name. 

Stay safe, stay positive, stay close to our God.
 
Andrew Neill, E3 Schools' Worker, North Coast

​Below is one of the online Assemblies

Latest Prayer Letter
​Click below to download the files.

Original Article Here
Domestic Violence has increased since the start of Lockdown, but at anytime this is a horrendous crime that requires our prayers.
​
Families or individuals who have experienced domestic violence and abuse are in the process of healing both physically and emotionally from multiple traumas of the mind, body and spirit. Some of these victims are people we don’t know but others, we may know very closely. Unfortunately, too many victims suffer and silence and don’t know who or where to turn to. It’s important that we pray for their healing and restoration, turning to the only One who has the power to make all things new. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He also said, “Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). Whether someone persecutes, abuses, hates or curses us, we are called to pray for them. What God is doing with this command is make God a necessary part of enemy love. We are to turn to God when our enemy abuses us. Here are eight prayers against domestic violence and abuse, for the victims and the abusers.

Prayer
Loving God, be with all men and women who are in doubt about their intimate relationships. Give them clarity of mind and peaceful hearts so that they can make good decisions guided by Your love. Let those who must, discern any abuse that may exist so that they can learn to care for themselves with Your help. Let those who must, acknowledge that they are harming the other, so they can learn to abhor their own behavior and come to true repentance and amendment of life. Keep us all safe in our relationships. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

There are so many people who live in darkness as a result of abusive relationships. Abuse can take many forms, not just physical, but mental, verbal and emotional as well. It’s important that we ask God to enlighten victims and provide them with wisdom to see when things are not right within their relationships. Even when they feel powerless or fearful, God is in their corner. When you pray for these victims, ask God for the strength to share these convictions, the compassion for the abused, and the wisdom to plant seeds that encourage people to think and ponder these serious issues. 

Prayer
Gracious God, You created us in Your image and breathed life into us, a life You want us to live abundantly. We ask You to free those living with abuse physically, mentally or spiritually, from their oppression, so that they may walk in peace and enjoy a life full of Your blessings. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

It’s important as followers of Christ to stand against all types of domestic violence and abuse not only outside of our homes but also in our homes. Call on God to bind every evil spirit associated with them. We shouldn’t advocate for anyone who destroys a person’s self-respect, self-worth and confidence and leaves them with feelings of low self-esteem and depression. Pray that God will heal, forgive and show these victims that, as a person, they deserve to be respected, feel safe and valued. Also pray that those being abused to recognize that when they feel dominated, disgraced and even dejected, that they need to stand up and declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper because they are delivered by the blood of Jesus and are children of the Most High God. 

Prayer
O Lord, help us to be strong stewards of all You have entrusted to us. Give us the courage and Your strength to stand against violence inflicted upon Your precious people. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

We know that Jesus was delivered into the hands of the wicked, yet He prayed for His persecutors and overcame hatred with the blood of the cross. It’s important that we stand against violence and pray, not only for peace of mind but also a renewed faith in God’s protection and care. Call on God to keep you aware to the concerns of violence and to inspire those in your community to develop a sense of urgency when it comes to the many needs that surround us. God has the power to protect us all from the violence of others, to keep us safe from the weapons of hate, and to restore to us tranquility and peace. 

Prayer
Almighty God, we pray for all victims of abuse. We ask you to surround them with Your care and protect them by Your loving might and permit them to enjoy health and healing, wholeness and strength, calmness and peace and love. Most of all, we pray that they feel Your presence and be confident in You. In Jesus’ name.
Amen. 

When we lift up prayers of healing for domestic violence victims, we are praying for survivors and anybody that has ever been affected by domestic violence and abuse. We are asking the Lord to cover them with Jesus' blood and His wings so that might find refuge in Him. Pray that God will give them the strength to fight back spiritually and that you deliver them and heal them. Also, pray for peace, strength, hope, wisdom and love. While we don't always know why situations happen or what we should do regarding them, God reminds of us His love everyday and helps us see that we are wonderfully made. 

Prayer
Teaching God, we pray that You open our ears, our eyes, and our hearts to be more aware, outreaching, and supportive to people in abusive situations, so that they won’t feel alone and know that someone cares. Let us love them as You have loved us. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

For survivors of violence, abuse and neglect, many are in a state of constant loneliness and pain. Pray that God will be with them in their confusion and pain. God has the ability to give power to the powerless and His fullness to the empty of spirit. He also has the power to heal their wounds, free them from fear and restore them to true health. Jesus was victim of abuse and yet in His resurrection, He triumphed over oppression. Likewise, we should pray for those who abuse and mistreat others. We should also pray to turn the hearts of the exploiters from the way of evil so that He may open their eyes to the truth of their conduct and the damage they are causing. Hopefully, this prayer will bring them to repentance and amendment of their lives. 

Prayer
Merciful God, we give you thanks for your gift of strength and life and especially for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have health and salvation. Help us by Your Holy Spirit to witness your power in our lives and to know your eternal love. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Our God is a God of love, who is ever caring, ever strong, always present and always just. He gave His only Son to save us by the blood of his cross. As a Shepherd of Peace, He has the power to heal those who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Many of us agonize over the harm done to our brothers and sisters. God can breathe wisdom into our prayers, soothe restless hearts with hope and steady shaken spirits with faith. 

Prayer
Compassionate God, protect the innocent children who suffer or witness violence and abuse at the hands of the ones they love. Bring them to a safe place where they can begin to heal. Restore their minds to trust and their hearts to love and their spirits to be free. Surround them with your angels. In Jesus’ name.
Amen. 

It’s important that we pray specifically for the children who have been hurt, abused, neglected, criticized, dominated, betrayed and abandoned. Psalm 27:10 says, “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.” Call on Jesus to help these children feel loved and cared for, in a tangible way. Also pray that these children will not look for love in all the wrong places, in a fruitless attempt to fill a God-sized void. The Holy Spirit has the power to comfort them and deliver them.

Prayer
Loving Savior, touch the hearts of those who abuse others. Heal their thinking, so that they may turn to You and seek Your ways. Help them to know that every human being is a treasure to You. Help them to know that You are a forgiving God and can lead them on a path to new life. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Our Heavenly Father is a source of consolation and hope and by His son’s dying and rising, He remains our light in every darkness and our strength in every weakness. Call on God to be the refuge and guardian of all who suffer from abuse and violence. Ask that He comforts these victims and sends healing for their wounds of body, soul and spirit. God has the power to rescue them from bitterness and shame and refresh them with Your love. He can heal their brokenness and revive the spirits of all who lament this sin. In order to call for justice, we must first deepen our respect for the dignity of every human life. Call on the giver of peace who has the power to restore. 

Domestic violence and abuse is about control and enslavement, but the Lord is all about deliverance, freedom and peace. Never doubt the power of prayer and God’s ability to protect and heal those who are suffering as a result of violence, both silently and out loud.

The Original Article Can Be Found Here

25 Encouraging Prayers for Peace of Mind with ImagesMar 15, 2020 by Editor in ChiefA troubled mind brings worry and a restless spirit. Here are 25 of the most encouraging prayers for peace of mind along with printable images to use or share.
Prayer to Quiet My Mind
I thank You, O God, my Savior, that You faithfully answer my prayers in such an awesome way. My Creator, You formed the mountains with Your power, and I trust You to care for these worries and cares that are stealing my peace. You quieted the raging oceans, and now I ask You to quiet my mind. I pray in the Name of Jesus, the Bread of Life, Amen.


I Lay It at Your Feet Prayer
All-Powerful God, when my thoughts surge up and seek to shake my rest in You, when anxiety and agitation and fear rise up to disturb me, please remind me to bring everything in prayer to You, to lay it all at Your feet with thanksgiving for Your provision and care, so that nothing will break the calm and security which I possess in You. I thank You, merciful and gracious God, that I can bring all my requests and burdens to You. Amen.


Prayer for Protection from a Restless Mind
O Lord, I come to You for protection from a restless mind. Turn Your ear to me and set me free. My mind is oppressed, in the cruel clutches of fear. I will always praise You, for You have been with me, caring for me since I was in my mother’s womb, and You have been my strength and protection all my life. And now, don’t set me aside, don’t abandon me. Be to me, O God, my rock of safety. Amen.


Prayer for a Clear Mind
O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display Your radiant glory. Show me Your mighty power. Come to rescue me, for my mind is disturbed with all these conflicting thoughts and the decisions I have to make. May Your face shine on me and bring a clear mind, free from distraction, and the wisdom to know what to do. Clear the way before me and revive me, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Amen.


Lift Me out of My Distress Prayer
Father, I pray to You, with hands lifted to heaven, asking that You lift me out of my distress and bless my mind with perfect peace. I am overwhelmed with longing for Your help. In my deep trouble, I search for You, Lord. I recall all You have done, for You are the God of great wonders! O God, Your ways are holy, and with Your strong arm, You have redeemed me. Amen.


Prayer for a Mind Free of Torment
Oh Lord, Desire of all Nations, You have allowed me to go through much suffering, but I am confident that You will restore me to abundant life again and lift me up from these depths of depression. Please give me a mind free of torment, and comfort me once again. I praise You because You are faithful to Your promises, O my God, I shout for joy for You have ransomed me. Amen.


Prayer to the Lord of Peace
Lord of Peace, it is my heartfelt desire that You give me Your peace at all times and in every situation. I thank You that Your Presence covers me with peace when I abide in You and Your Words abide in me. Lord, You are the only true peace-giver, and You know the unrest that tortures my heart. Please give me Your blessed rest in my spirit. All Honor, Glory, and Praise be to Your Name, Amen.


Pour out the Peace of Jesus Prayer
Oh God, my Strength, I beg You to pour out that peace that Your Son Jesus exhibited when He walked on earth. Pour out that tranquility of heart and spirit, that unruffled calm, in spite of calamities and life-changes and all the pressures and stresses of life. May Your peace sustain my heart through sacrifice and pain and struggle. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


Prayer for the Gift of Peace
God of love and peace, I ask that You bless me with the gift of peace of mind and heart. I am so thankful that the peace You give is something I can’t get from anyone or anything else in the world. I don’t need to be afraid or troubled, because Your peace is my legacy, as I bring my will into harmony with Your will. I praise You because Your peace gives me the power to hold my wildest fears in check. Amen.


Prayer for the Deep Unrest of My Heart
My Lord and my Teacher, I confess the deep unrest of my heart. I desperately need the peace of mind that only You can give. I thank You that You have blessed me with Your Holy Spirit to dwell within me – Your presence is within me, and Your peace is inseparable from Your presence. Lord, may I be intentional about taking hold of Your peace that overcomes all conflict and contending desires. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.


Prayer for Peace-Giving Power
Only True God, as I open my heart in simple faith, may I receive Your rest. As I live in unbroken consciousness of communion with You, dear Father, submitting my will to Yours and living in full dependence to You, may I be at the center and foundation of Your peace-giving power. I live in eternal gratitude that the great sacrifice of Your Son Jesus secured the true beginning of all real peace, bringing us into perfect accord with You. Amen.


Prayer for God’s Rest to Penetrate
God of all grace, I pray for Your rest to penetrate to the very roots of my being. My soul longs for the calm, still, impregnable, all-pervading, and central tranquility that comes when I am right with You, when I am centered on You, and there is nothing between us. Holy Spirit, please guide me to that place and convict me of sin that inhibits that oneness with my Lord. I pray in the Name of Jesus, who brought us into the right relationship with You. Amen.


Prayer for the Quiet of a Harmonized Nature
Oh God who holds all things together, I plead for the quiet of a harmonized nature as I make You Lord of all my thoughts and desires, my righteousness, my all. Only then will unsatisfied desires and inner schisms melt away. Christ, I take You as the Light of my mind, the home of my desires, the aim of my efforts. You are enough for me, You are my treasure, You are my quiet satisfaction. Amen.


Prayer for Healing of Inner Discord
My Lord and my Master, I pray that You will heal the inner discord of my mind. I feel fragmented by all the competing forces that demand my attention and bring unrest. Lord, please enter my mind, and bind all these things under Your hand, and harness them under Your guidance. You are gentle, yet powerful, and I ask that You calm my stormy soul. I pray in the Name of Jesus, my True Vine. Amen.


Prayer for True Tranquility
My God, You are Supreme over all creation. I ask that You bring me true tranquility as I pursue peace with others. Your Word teaches me that the underlying cause of conflict is our central selfishness. As Your divine love pours into my heart, may it cleanse me of all self-centeredness and replace it with Your gentleness, sympathy, compassion, insight, and patience. May I be an instrument of Your peace, and in so doing, receive Your peace of mind. Amen.


Prayer of Submission to God’s Sovereignty
My Lord, You are First in everything, and I yield myself to Your lordship over my will. I seek harbor from this storm of agitation as I rest in Your sovereignty, knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love You. Holy Spirit, please remind me that nothing can shake that settled peace that is my inheritance when I remember that You are in control, that You are for me, and nothing can be against me. Amen.


Prayer for Soothing Tenderness
Lord of my Peace, I come to You with a mind full of the rushing and busyness of life, needing focus and rest. Lord, please remind me that it’s okay to be quiet because then I can hear Your still, soft whisper. Remind me that it’s ok to just sit and reflect on You and Your promises, for that is what delivers me from this wretched state. Bring to me Your soothing tenderness. Amen.


Prayer for the Peace of God to Rule in My Heart
Heavenly Father, I pray that the peace that comes from Christ will rule in my heart. I thank You that You called me to live in peace. I am thankful that You supply all my needs, and that I need not worry or fret about situations. Help me not be agitated by what others do or say, but to make allowances for them and forgive those who offend me. Give me the gentleness and patience that I need for my peace of mind. Amen.


Prayer for My Soul’s Health
Lord, I thank You for Your peace that comes from unity with You and with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray for  inner tranquility and health of my soul. I thank You for the witness of Your Spirit that is my inner Safeguard. I know that my soul will prosper when I am full of Your Word and conscious of the grace I possess in You. In the Name of Jesus, our Mediator between God and man, Amen.


Prayer for an Overwhelmed Heart
O God, listen to my cry! My heart is overwhelmed. I wait quietly for You, my victory, my unshakable fortress. When my mind feels broken into pieces, I come to You for restoration, and I pour out my heart to You. I trust You at all times. I thank You, dear Lord, for Your power and Your unfailing love that will support me and lead me to victory. I praise You for eternity, Amen.


Rescue Me Prayer
Please, God, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. I am feeling confused and full of doubt, and my mind is racing with anxious thoughts. Please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my Helper and my Savior; O Lord, do not delay. Bring clarity of thought and calm assurance. I thank You that when I search for You, I am filled with joy and gladness in You. In the Name of Jesus, the Resurrection, and the Life, Amen.


Prayer to the God of Miracles
My God of Miracles, please hurry to help me. I will keep on hoping for Your help in bringing calmness to my thoughts. I praise You even now, knowing You will bring healing and deliverance. I rest in Your saving power, and I praise You for Your mighty miracles. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. Who can compare to You? Amen.


Guide Me with Your Counsel Prayer
Lord, please feel pity for me, for I am needy. Please rescue me and defend me from these anxious thoughts that oppress and assault me. I feel like I’m losing my footing, that I am slipping into darkness, and every day I am in pain. But when I sit before You in quietness, Your Holy Spirit teaches me, You hold my right hand, and You guide me with Your counsel. Thank You, Jesus, for interceding for me. Amen.


Restore My Mind Prayer
O God, who do I have in heaven but You? My health is failing and my spirit is weak, but You, O God, remain the strength of my heart. Please restore my mind to perfect health and wholeness. You are mine forever, and I desire You more than anything on earth. O Sovereign Lord, I have made You my shelter. It is good to be near You, my God. I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do. Amen.


Free Me from this Burden Prayer
O God, my strength, free my shoulders from this burden. You know all the cares and concerns that dominate my thoughts and make my soul heavy. Set me free, Lord, so my heart and mind can be at rest. I know You are the giver of good things. Lord, I will listen to You and follow Your leading, as I know You will make a road through this wilderness. Amen.

Below are some things that we would encourage you to pray for this week.
There are a lot of personal details that are missing to maintain privacy.

Lockdown
Please pray for all those who are struggling with Lockdown
There are so many individual situations.
People who are working on the front line in hospital
People struggling on their own
People who are unable to visit family and grandchildren.
People who are not able to visit friends and family who are ill.
People who are ill and need ongoing treatment.
People who are recovering from illness
People who have businesses and are uncertain about the future
People who are in Care Homes
Pray for all circumstances of people you know in the congregation.

Lee McAllister
Pray for Lee, give thanks that he was able to preach at the Good Friday Service and has prepared another service for tonight. Many were blessed through his ministry last time, pray that God would use the word from Lee once again.
Watch Burnside At Home Here 

Arthur Parke 
You can find Arthur’s latest prayer letter here.
He is in Benin in Africa and usually visits Burnside once a year. He was due to be with us on 5th April this year but was unable to travel because of Coronavirus restrictions.

Sickness
There are a number of people who are ill at the moment, nothing to do with Covid-19.
Please pray for members of the congregation who need the Lord’s help at this time.

Thomas Sampson
A friend of Jim and Ruth’s who is in ICU Antrim Hospital with Covid-19. Pray that he responds to the treatment and pray for his family.

Burnside At Home
Please pray for the recording of the services each week.
There is a lot that can go wrong, pray that everything would go smoothly.
Pray for the people who take part each week.
Pray for all the people who are watching at home.
There are members of Burnside, but also many of our holiday members are also worshipping at home with us.
And then there are all the people that we have shared the services with.
Pray that each person would be encouraged in their faith pr challenged to follow Jesus.

Virtual Prayer Room
Pray that many people would make use of this resource, that we would have far more people praying than would ever be at our Wednesday morning prayer meeting.

Trypraying
Remember the people that we were praying for during the 40 days of prayer at Lent.
Remember all the churches who took part on Trypraying
Revival
Pray for Revival - God is at work in these difficult times. It is when there is trouble that the church thrives, lets pray for Revival. That God would come and sweep through our lives and the lives in this town and in this country.

Finance
Please also pray about Finance. Obviously with having no church services at this time, and therefore no weekly offering. Give thanks for all those who have sent contributions or set up Standing Orders. Pray that we would rely on God for his gracious provision.
Give thanks for Francis, Jeremy and Robert who not only have been sorting out the contributions each week, but have also been getting the financial accounts audited and prepared for Presbytery.

Other Topics
You can find lots of other information to help you pray in the Intercede section of the Virtual Prayer Room.

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name

The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name

You're rich in love
And You're slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name
Bless You Lord

And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
Forevermore

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name

Yes I'll worship Your Holy name
I'll worship Your Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name

Jesus I will worship Your Holy name
Worship Your Holy name

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Jonas Myrin / Matt Redman
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group

CCCLI : 59593

Original Article Can Be Read Here.   

When things become too much to bear, looking to any of these great prayers for help in times of trouble will take your down a path for resolution. These are a great source of inspiration to encourage you to have your own personal conversation with the Lord today.

Prayer for Help
O Lord my God you are my refuge and my strength. You are my ever present help in times of trouble. When it seems like my world is crumbling around me and I am thrown around by the storms of my life, take away my fear. When I am weak, you are my strength. When I am vulnerable, you are my refuge. When I cry for help, you will answer. Remind me Lord that you are always with me, you will never leave or forsake me. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Name above All Names Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the name above every other name. Your name is like a fortified tower in which I can find safety and security. When I am troubled, I can find peace in your name. When I feel weak, I can find strength in your name. When I feel overwhelmed, I can find rest in your name. When I feel surrounded by pressures on every side, I can find stability in your name. Your name is beautiful, Lord, help me to rely on you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
God’s Mighty Hand Prayer
Creator God, your hand threw the stars into space and the same hand reaches down to me with a gentle touch. I don’t have the strength to deal with the situation I am facing, please uphold me with your righteous right hand. I don’t know what to do, please help me. You say that I do not need to be afraid or dismayed because you are my God and you are with me. Help me to know your presence in the midst of my circumstances and draw strength from you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Victory Prayer
Heavenly Father, you are my strength and my song. You are worthy of all my praise, no matter what my circumstances are. When I look to Jesus’ death and resurrection I see the greatest victory that has already been won on my behalf. I pray that I would find confidence in that victory and that I would live my life in the light of your love, whatever may be happening around me. Help me Father.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Everlasting Love Prayer
Everlasting God, you never fail to help your people. Throughout history we see you acting in love towards your children. When they cry out to you, you hear and respond. When they fail and turn away from you, you do not turn your back on them. In this time of trouble, give me a steadfast mind and fill me with peace as I put my trust in you. With you I will not crumble like a house built on sand but I will stand firm with my feet on you, the everlasting rock. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Calm My Fears Prayer
Eternal Father, you know my past, present and future, nothing is unknown to you. When I worry about what is ahead of me, please calm my fears with the knowledge that you go before me. I will never be alone because you will always be with me. You have promised that you will not fail me or forsake me and you are faithful to keep all your promises. Take away my fear and replace it with faith in your unending love. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

God is My Rock Prayer
Lord, my rock and redeemer, you know everything about me. You have rescued me from my sin, you have called me by name. I belong to you. As I pass through the storms of life, you are with me. You say that I will not be overwhelmed in the flood or consumed by the fire. You are my Savior in every part of my life. You give me everything I need. The breath I use to pray this prayer is a gift from you. Help me rely on you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Prince of Peace Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, you are the prince of peace, you breathed on your disciples and gave them your peace. I ask that you would give me your peace in this time of trouble. When I feel anxious would you remind me that your word says I do not need to worry, but in everything I should pray to you. Your peace, which surpasses understanding will guard my heart and mind. Please give me that peace at this time. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Remove My Fear Prayer
Graciously loving Father, you hear the prayers of your people. Please turn your ear to my cry for help. As I seek you, would you answer and deliver me from all my fears. The fears that threaten to overwhelm me don’t stand a chance in the light of your loving power. When I feel out of control, remind me that you are in control. You make all things work together for my good even when I don’t understand how that could be possible. Increase my faith in you. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

God’s Peace Prayer
God of all peace, you are the source of all hope in life. My circumstances are far from peaceful at this time Lord but your peace is not the peace that the world offers. Your peace can transcend the situation I find myself in. My heart is troubled Lord, you said you can take away my fear. Give me your peace and let it transform my mind, my heart and my actions. I can’t see a way out but you can make a way. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

God Is with Me Prayer
Faithful Father, you have never left my side. Although I have often wandered from you, you have always remained beside me. With you at my side, I will not be shaken, whatever life throws at me. Help me to always place you at the center, guiding my path and protecting me from evil. As I experience the brokenness of this world would you refresh my soul to continue praising you. There is no God like you, you are worthy of all my praise. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

ARTHUR PARKE
[email protected]

PRAISE & PRAYER BULLETIN : January – April 2020
 
I am sitting at my desk looking out at bright red oleander flowers bathed in sunshine with a background of wisps of white cloud.  Not in Coleraine as planned, but in Parakou, and relieved to be here.   So far the Coronavirus hasn’t yet got to us in the north of Benin but we are taking the usual precautions.    My missionary colleagues, concerned by my age and the constant coming and going of students in my house, were ready to lock me up (or is it now down, we say) in an empty mission house.   I have tried to be good and spend most of my time in my room, emerging to meet people on the veranda or my boys at meal time, respecting social distancing and hand-washing.  Masks are kept for my daily outing in the car.   It would seem an ideal time to catch up with reading and correspondence, but lethargy which expresses itself in my indulgence in Sudokus and solitaires really got me.  My boys too are drifting and unconcerned about studying for their exams (which they would normally have done during the Easter holidays).   Until when schools, churches etc. will remained closed we know not, but I must try and make up some exercises in French and English to remind them they are students as exam dates could well take them by surprise.    

The schools work this year was losing ground, partly I would have thought, because I was on my own.  But suddenly things took off as volunteers got involved and we exploited the Voodoo holiday to put on a training programme in nine centres, we had two mini-camps during the mid-term break and just before the Easter holiday five new groups started up in government secondary schools. I continue to meet with several volunteers we call my ‘staff’ each Tuesday.   One of them looks after the six university groups - a great relief to me.
 
So back to looking out my window.   The colourful male lizard is not there.  He can lie on the wall motionless for ages, watching for an interested female (small and brown) who may well make very discreet moves in his direction until both withdraw.  How different when two doves land together on the wall full of flurry, anything but discreet and unconcerned by spectators!
  
Oh, that reminds me of Moses’ wedding from my house on 14th March. I have no idea how many people slept in my house or in the student rooms behind.  It all began on Wednesday when a group of women made a noisy procession to the bride’s house nearby with the dowry (pots and pans, household goods, and a suitcase with cloth, lady’s shoes and I don’t know what.   Lots of singing, and after examination of the goodies, the bride heavily veiled was produced but it wasn’t her!  Some more money changed hands and lots of words, and eventually Rose came forth.   Next day we were not so many at the civil wedding (I was the bridegroom’s witness) and then a day off to prepare for the church wedding.  The bride’s family cooked meal upon meal for Moses’ family with me as well as their own friends and relatives.  Moses’ father is a village pastor so I have been responsible for him since his final year in school. He graduated in English, became a teacher with conditions of service which have been challenging.  Temporary postings, salary often late, no pay in the holidays… No honeymoon so back to work in the village he was sent to in October. Schools closed a week later, but there they are.  Neither I nor the in-laws really have room for them if they wanted to come back to the city.  Will schools re-open on 11 May? 

PRAYER & PRAISE
 
1. Thank the Lord for keeping me in Benin where government precautions seem effective.
2. Pray for mental energy to make good use of my voluntary confinement, where there is little pressure!    A better internet connection would help!  
3. Pleas for financial help are increasing with the effects of confinement.  Pray for wisdom.
4. Pray for our students (including the five with me), who are unsettled and wasting time instead of studying.  Remember Moses and Rose in their new life together.
5. Pray for our Christian witness among neighbours during Ramadan, as mosques like churches are closed. 

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Original Article Found Here 

In the Coronavirus pandemic, how might we best pray for local businesses, and particularly for those in leadership in business who belong to PCI congregations? 

The impact of coronavirus on our national life has been unprecedented, with nothing that bears comparison in any of our lived experiences. Covid-19 has put the NHS under astonishing pressure and we all admire and are grateful for how our healthcare sector is doing everything in its power to treat the sick and save lives. The societal consequences in terms of social distancing and limiting our trips out only to absolute essentials have also been striking, and all our families have been affected by the closure of schools and our inability to meet for corporate worship.
The other area of national life to be very materially impacted is the economy. At the time of writing, commentators estimate that Gross Domestic Product could drop by as much as 20% in a single quarter, and many expect the fallout of Covid-19 to be more akin to a depression than a recession, a concern heightened by the prospect that we could have up to a year of moving in and out of levels of lockdown.
The impact varies widely by sector. Some businesses (e.g. the food industry and companies in the ‘knowledge’ economy) may prove relatively coronavirus-resilient, but others are facing extreme difficulty. Many of us will know from friends and family the impact on businesses in non-essential retail, hospitality and tourism, and construction and engineering. Some businesses have seen their demand-side fall off a cliff in a matter of weeks, for others the impact has been on their supply-side. Many have seen both dimensions of their enterprises affected.

So how might we best pray for local businesses, and particularly for those in leadership in business who belong to PCI congregations?

Here are six prayer pointers.

1. Integrity under pressure
None of us really know how we will react under extreme pressure until we actually find ourselves in certain situations. We want to pray that followers of Jesus will be able to be gracious and fruitful in these toughest of times, and that we will have opportunities to demonstrate kingdom based values and share the hope that we have in Jesus Christ.
We must also be realistic about the dark side of human nature and pray that under pressure, no Christian will be tempted to cut moral corners to achieve the outcome they want. We would add to that a prayer that Christians would also know God’s protection from ‘sharp practice’ on the part of others.
We should be mindful also that many of the schemes designed to help businesses have been put together very quickly and won’t be perfect. There are going to be times when accessing help may prove frustrating, and we pray for an ability to be gracious and patient with those trying to process assistance, who will themselves be under enormous pressure.

2. Doing right by workers
As followers of Jesus, we want to do the best that we can for our employees, and first and foremost that means balancing demands for business continuity with ensuring that the workplace environment is safe, with appropriate measures around PPE and social distancing.
While government support for furloughed workers is hugely appreciated, we recognise that not every business will be able to afford to make up the balance of salaries. We should pray for wisdom and sensitivity to support workers as best we can, many of whom will have unique family pressures and will often want clarity in these circumstances that may be hard to provide.

3. Resilience for leaders
We have all become more aware of the importance of good mental health in recent years, and we want to pray that those leading businesses will have clear heads, an opportunity to talk about their problems, healthy and constructive outlets for their pressure, and ability – by the grace of God – to bounce back.
For those who own and lead businesses – perhaps that they personally built up over decades, or that have been passed down through family generations – the sense of personal identity attached to those companies, along with responsibility for customers and employees, can be hard to put into words. To feel that decades of progress have been robbed from them in a matter of weeks, for reasons completely unforeseen and beyond their control, is very difficult for anyone to process.

4. Making the right decisions
Many will be familiar with the business adage that ‘cash is king’, and right across our economy many will be dealing with difficult choices about how they can get money in and who they can pay, working with customers, suppliers and their banks, and trying to forecast cash flow on a weekly or even daily basis. It is hard to put into words how stressful that can be.
We should pray that people will be able to make good decisions in short timescales, particularly about how fast and deep they should cut costs to safeguard their businesses. And as we pray, it is recognised that this need to make good decisions will be required for months and years to come. Government assistance has been generous but support such as loan schemes, VAT deferrals, and rates holidays all have to be paid back at some future point, and it will take some businesses years to trade out of their problems.

5. Ability to look ahead
Confidence is intangible but essential for every economy. Consumers need confidence before they go out and spend and businesses need confidence before they will invest. While as followers of Jesus we hope and pray that coronavirus and the events of early 2020 will lead many in our society to re-evaluate their lives and what matters most to them, we recognise also that a healthy demand side is essential to the functioning of any economy. And as we pray for confidence, we ask too that Christian business leaders would have ability to look ahead and discern how their sectors and markets will change in years to come, and how to adapt and innovate in light of their evaluations.

​6. Wisdom from Government
Finally, it is recognised that even before we’d heard of coronavirus, 2020 was a year of much uncertainty for many in business in Northern Ireland, given that the UK has left the EU and the transition period will conclude at the end of the year. Businesses don’t yet know what exactly the outworking of the NI Protocol will mean in terms of friction in NI-GB trade (in both directions) and extra bureaucracy required, but as things stand there is no indication the transition will be extended, and many businesses that may be struggling to get back on their feet after coronavirus could face a whole other set of additional changes and costs to work through. Pray that those in government will be wise in the decisions they make in this area of national life.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing
Our Helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe
His craft and pow’r are great, and, armed with cruel hate
On earth is not his equal

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He
The Lord of hosts His name, from age to age the same
And He must win the battle

And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him
​
That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him who with us sideth
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also
The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still
His kingdom is forever

Music and words by Martin Luther (1529). Translated by Frederick Hedge (1853). Public Domain

Article originally on the Evangelical Alliance Website 

​We asked some local doctors to help us understand how to best pray for them and their colleagues at this time. May these points help us as we pray:

• Guarding from guilt: with a strong vocational call and a call to step up in this season, many who are having to self isolate for their own health or those of their household and/ or restrict patient contact are feeling a sense of guilt of not being frontline – please pray that they know the Fathers comfort and assurance that they are valued and vindicated in their decision to care for themselves and their families.
• Prayer over marriages: particularly those where both are key workers. The rota demands and childcare challenges can make thresholds of grace lower and a sense of frustration or resentment can ruminate. Please pray for protection over marriages and for good communication and courage as a couple to draw boundaries to honour their marriage and their family.
• Wisdom for childcare: for those needing child care to provide frontline care there is the balance between work demands and placing, not only their own children, but additional carers at risk of infection. This burden of care for both children and carers is hard to carry, especially if there is fear on the side of carers. Please pray for good channels of communication between parents and carers and wisdom to discern how to provide and facilitate what is needed for all parties
• As medical professionals in the NHS, we are urged to deliver gold standard care to every patient. In the current situation where we are needing to provide is best care (not gold standard) for as many as possible, so many will carry a sense of responsibility for those who  suffer as a result of this crisis. Please pray that medical staff can rest in the sovereignty of God – that their privilege and responsibility is to bring their loaves and fishes (as meagre as they seem in the midst of great need) and can trust God to bring the increase and meet the need. It can feel overwhelming with a burden of care hard to carry – pray medics can learn to play their part, but hand the outcome over to the goodness and sovereignty of God.
• For courage and peace that as we minister in the name of Jesus into this unprecedented experience for the NHS, we would be salt and light to colleagues and patients that we care for.

True Confession: Ideas for recovering a true spirit of confession in worshipNot long ago I asked a group to identifiy distinguishing marks of Reformed worship. “A unison prayer of confession,” one of them responded. Actually, we have not had a spoken unison prayer of confession for very long. Before the invention of the mimeograph, spoken, unison prayers were not possible. In fact, there was no such thing as a worship bulletin.

But this respondent was right in one important sense: confession has always been a major emphasis in Reformed worship. Calvin said that when we assemble as the church, we say something about God and something about ourselves. We enter into the presence of our gracious God and of the angels only when we acknowledge our unworthiness. “On every Lord’s Day the minister makes a formal confession, in which he represents all as guilty of sin, and supplicates for pardon from the Lord on behalf of all” (Institutes, 3, 4, 11).

The form confession took in the liturgy was shaped by other influences at work in early Reformed worship: the desire for participation by the “priesthood of all believers,” for example, and an emphasis on singing the psalms. So it became customary very early in the Reformed tradition for the minister and the congregation together to sing their repentance. Some of us remember singing Psalms 51, 32, and 25. And sometimes we sang Psalms 86 and 103. This singing of the psalms, and especially of the latter two, brought together our praise of God and our reflection on our own unrighteousness. Even the singing of the Kyrie Elieson carried this double emphasis, reflected in two possible translations of this phrase: “Lord, have mercy,” a pleading prayer, or “Lord, you have given mercy!” a triumphant acclamation. Churches that have not sung their repentance for some time should consider it again (see box p. 19 for suggestions).

Why Do We Confess Our Sins?
Far too many folks would say that we confess our sins so that we might be forgiven. Not so! At least, it should not be so. We confess our sins because we know and have the assurance that our God is a gracious and forgiving God who, while we were yet sinners, sent Christ to die for us, received us in baptism, and for Jesus’ sake forgives our sins. So we dare to approach the throne of grace with confidence, not with fear. How should we embody this truth in our liturgies?

Since “repentance not only immediately follows faith, but is produced by it” (Calvin’s Institutes, 3, 3, 1), the prayer of confession must always be preceded by a reminder of God’s promise to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. The consciousness and acceptance of God’s mighty and gracious acts in Jesus Christ prompt praise; praise brings about repentance; and the first fruit of repentance is our confession of sin. The subsequent fruit is living a joyful and obedient Christian life.
Calvin warns of two errors that must be avoided. First, we must avoid giving the impression that God’s grace is rendered effective because of anything we do (even praying a prayer of confession). Second, grace should never be considered as any kind of reward or divine response, but always and only as the free gift of God (Institutes, 2, 3, 11).

A Common Misunderstanding
We must raise serious questions about prayers of confession, whether spoken or sung, that sound as if we are pleading with God to forgive us. We should avoid the imploring tone that expresses only the possible prospect that God will forgive us and that betrays the implicit fear that if we don’t “repent hard enough” or sincerely enough, God just might not be trusted to forgive us. Rather, the thrust of the prayer should be an expression of confidence that our Lord God will not refuse or cast out those who come trusting in the work and the grace of Jesus (John 6:37). Our prayers should express clearly our recognition that God acts first. It is through recognizing God’s gracious forgiveness that we are moved to repentance and confession.

The following prayer comes close to that intention:
Almighty God, you love us, but we have not loved you.
You call, but we have not listened.
We walk away from neighbors in need,
wrapped in our own concerns.
We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.
God of grace, help us to admit our sin, so that as you come to us in mercy,
we may repent, turn to you, and receive forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
—composed for the Presbyterian Worshipbook (1970) and slightly altered for the Book of Common Worship 1993, p. 89

Note that God’s coming to us in mercy precedes our repentance, though there is still an ambiguity here. This prayer could be construed by the pew sitter to mean that only when we admit our sin, will God “come to us in mercy.”
We should be even more careful as we craft these prayers to instill a proper theological awareness of “faith alone, grace alone” in our worshipers. Here is my attempt at trying to be “even more careful” with this good prayer:

Awesome and compassionate God,
You have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy,
but we have not loved you.
You constantly call us, but we do not listen.
You ask us to love, but we walk away from neighbors in need,
wrapped in our own concerns.
We condone evil, prejudice, warfare, and greed.
God of grace, as you come to us in mercy,
we repent in spirit and in truth,
admit our sin, and gratefully receive your forgiveness
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.

Here is another attempt to rewrite a historic prayer of confession that is often used as a spoken unison prayer by a congregation:

Eternal Splendor, Light of light and God of gods,
You have shone upon us and we have seen your glory,
shining in the face of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Bathed in your light, our faith and our life are shown to be shrouded and tarnished.
We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
Yet, in your great mercy you forgive what we have been.
We pray that you now will amend what we are
and direct what we shall be,
that we may henceforth walk in your light,
delight in your will, and reflect your radiance,
to the glory of your holy name.
Amen.

Renewing Our Baptism
I believe that every public prayer of confession is an occasion of the renewal of our baptism. Again I turn to Calvin, who says that the propensity toward evil never ceases in us, but we take courage because what “begins in our baptism” must be pursued every day until it is perfected when we go to be with the Lord (Institutes, 4, 15, 11). Even Jesus indicated that his baptism would only be completed in his death (Mark 10:38-39). “If repentance be enjoined upon us as long as we live,” says Calvin, “the virtue of baptism ought to be extended to the same period. . . . Whenever we have fallen, therefore, we must recur to the remembrance of baptism” (Institutes, 4, 15, 3-4).

For these reasons we should consider making the call to confession from the baptismal font and that any sung or spoken prayer of confession should be led from there, not from the pulpit.

Consider the following call and prayer:
All who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the 
Father, so we too might walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-4). As we praise God for all the gifts signified by our baptism [here the minister may lift some water with the hand, letting it fall audibly back into the font], let us confess that we have sinned as we have sought to walk in Christ’s way.

Let us pray:
Eternal and merciful God,
you have loved us with a love beyond our understanding,
and you have set us on paths of righteousness for your name’s sake;
Yet, we have strayed from your way;
we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed,
through what we have done and what we have left undone,
and we have wandered from your pathway.
As we remember the cleansing water of baptism, O God,
we praise you and give you thanks that you forgive us yet again.
Grant us now, we pray, the grace to die daily to sin,
and to rise daily to new life in Christ,
who lives and reigns with you,
and in whose strong name we pray.
Amen.

Followed by this assurance:
If we have been united with Christ in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. So you must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 6:5, 11). Go in peace. Your (Our) sins are forgiven.

Calls and Assurances
Both the call to confession and the assurance following it should, in effect, be assurances of the grace of God. It is not our task to convince people of their sinfulness but to proclaim the mighty works of God—especially in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Our goal is that people will come to faith, and through the lens of that faith, see their own inadequacy and be brought to repentance and confession.
An abundant supply of such calls can be found in the psalms in John, and in Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Perhaps the most striking is Romans 5:8-9:
The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while we were sinners Christ died for us. Much more surely, now that we have been justified by his blood [another opportunity to lift the water], will we be saved through him. As we reflect on God’s amazing love, let us confess our sins.
Confession as Integral to WorshipLet me summarize a bit. When the church gathers for prayer (worship), we come in confession—both of faith as we praise God’s might and saving love, and in repentance as we confess our sinfulness. Most often this confession of sin is a specific penitential segment early in the worship service.

However, having such a segment in our worship is not one of the primary requirements of Reformed worship. Rather, as we have seen, a spirit of repentance, humility, and confession should pervade our entire worship service.

So it is appropriate that from time to time, perhaps during Lent, the specifically penitential segment follow the sermon. And, since our praise and confession are complementary, there may be times in the year, such as in the Easter season, that the opening prayer of adoration may contain the element of the confession of our unworthiness. The rhythm of the Christian year will show itself in our prayers, with a stronger sense of praise during the festival seasons and a stronger sense of repentance during the preparation seasons. But both emphases should always be present, even though their proportions may vary.

But it’s also true that when we have the most intense awareness of the awesome majesty and greatness of God, we have the greatest sense of our own inadequacy and sinfulness. And, as Calvin says, it may be that when we are the most overcome by the sense of our own sinfulness, when our sins are beyond counting, that we give the greatest praise to God. Indeed, there is a point at which it is impossible even to think about being able to enumerate all our sins. “Who can detect all their errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults” (Psalm 19:12) And 1 John 3:20 says that even when our hearts condemn us, “God is greater than our hearts.” When in my repentance and my prayer of confession I acknowledge that I cannot even know the scope of my sinfulness, this may be the highest praise, the highest adoration of our God, who can save completely.

SCRIPTURAL CALLS TO CONFESSION AND ASSURANCE

• Many passages from the book of Psalms provide excellent calls to confession: 91:9-10, 14; 100:3; 145:13b-14; 147:2-3, 5.
• Romans and John also are excellent sources for calls to confession: Romans 1:16-17 and 5:1-2, 8-9. The following calls to confession are accompanied by assurances (in parentheses): 6:8-11 (12-13); 8:15b-17a (8:1-2); 8:31-34 (8:35, 37-39).
• John 3:16 (3:17-18a, ending with “those who believe in him are not condemned”).
• Additional assurances of pardon can be found in the following passages: 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 2:24 (and Isa. 53:4-6, which it quotes); 2 Corinthians 5:17. Following the assurance of pardon it is appropriate to use any of the exhortations from the later portions of Paul’s letter, or a reading of the Law and its summary.

-Arlo D. Duba


AN EXTENDED TIME OF CONFESSION DURING LENT
Here is one example of an extended time of confession, both spoken and sung, for the third Sunday in Lent, based on the “Via Dolorosa” series in RW 50 (Dec. 1998, p. 6). The Scripture text was Luke 7:36-50, the story of the woman who “crashed” Simon’s dinner party and washed Jesus’s feet with her tears. The prayers followed the sermon and prayer of application. Everyone was encouraged to have both their worship folder and their hymnal ready, so the prayers could follow without interruption The prayers of confession were followed immediately by the intercessory prayers of the people.

We Dedicate Ourselves to Godly Living
Call to Confession
The good news is this: Christ came into the world to save sinners.
Let us therefore open ourselves to Christ’s saving love as we humbly confess our sins, and in faith receive cleansing (1 Tim. 1:15).Silent prayers of confession
concluded by singing “Ah, Holy Jesus” stanzas 1-2. The organ introduction was very quiet, beginning with melody only; the singing was subdued; stanza 2 was sung unaccompanied.
Prayer of Dedication
My Father, I abandon myself to you. Do with me as you will.
Whatever you may do with me, I thank you.
I am prepared for anything; I accept everything,
provided your will is fulfilled in me and in all creatures;
I ask for nothing more, my God.
I place my soul in your hands.
I give it to you, my God, with all the love of my heart,
Because I love you.—Charles de Foucald (1858-1916)

Prayers of the People
[Then came the offering, the doxology (stanza 4 of “When I Survey”), blessing, and postlude.]
—from the worship bulletin of Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 
Grand Rapids, Michigan
MAKE A POINT OF
A look at any given day in Martin Luther’s calendar would reveal the following:

“On a typical day I am charged with the pastorate of three congregations. I teach regularly at the seminary. I have students living in my house. I am writing three books. Countless people write to me. When I start each day, therefore, I make it a point to spend an hour in prayer with God. But if I have a particularly busy day, and am more rushed than usual, I make it a point to spend two hours with God before I start the day.”

PSALM 19: 1- 6
God,
When I look at the sky,
I can tell what You have been doing.
The sun, the moon, and the stars 
show that You keep things
going all the time.
Every morning the sun shows us
that You are still on the job.
Each night is Your promise
for another day.
I don’t need to hear Your voice.
I can hear what You are saying
when I see what You do.
— Eldon Weisheit, Psalms for Teens (Concordia, 1992)

PRAYER GAINS ACCESS
One church in a small New York town decided to canvass its community by prayer. There were no brochures, newsletters, or tracts; just prayer. No one pressed a doorbell or made a phone call. The church members simply prayed earnestly. With a red marker and a map, they prayed that God would touch the lives of those who lived on each of the town’s forty streets.

What happened? People started visiting the church “out of the blue.” One Sunday four families came on the same week that the church had prayed for households on their street. Prayer had gained access.

Bob Kauflin reprints a prayer of confession offered at the Worship God Conference:
The Original Article can be found here.

Holy and righteous God, we confess that like Isaiah, we are a people of unclean lips. But it is not only unclean lips we possess. We are people with unclean hands and unclean hearts. We have broken your law times without number, and are guilty of pride, unbelief, self-centeredness and idolatry. Affect our hearts with the severity of our sin and the glory of your righteousness as we now acknowledge our sins in your holy presence.

We have had other gods before you.
We have worshipped and served the creature rather than the creator.
We have sought satisfaction in this world’s pleasures rather than in You.
We have loved to praise our own glory more than yours.

We have taken your name in vain.

We have prayed religious prayers to impress others.
We have uttered your name countless times without reverence or love.
We have listened to others use your name in vain without grieving.

We have murdered in our hearts.

We have often destroyed our neighbor with our tongues.
We have been quick to uncharitably judge others.
We have considered revenge when we were sinned against. 

We have committed adultery with our eyes.

We have loved temptation rather than fighting it.
We have lusted after unlawful and immoral pleasures.
We have justified our lusts by using the world as our standard.

We have stolen what is not ours and coveted what belongs to others.

Our lives overflow with discontent, ungratefulness, and envy.
We have complained in the midst of Your abundant provision.
We have sought to exalt ourselves through owning more.

We have lied to you and to others.

We have told distorted truths, half-truths, and untruths.
We have despised the truth to make ourselves look better.
Even in our confession, we look for ways to hide our guilt.

O God, we have sinned against your mercy times without number.
We are ashamed to lift up our faces before you, for our iniquities have gone over our heads.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
How shall we answer you?
We lay our hands on our mouths.
We have no answer to your righteous wrath and just judgment.
We have no answer.
​
But God Himself has mercifully provided one for us. 
“All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6)

Article by Donna Jones

Article Originally found here.

When I heard the conference coordinator’s request, I nearly dropped the phone: “I want one of your messages to focus on confession and provide an opportunity for people to confess in prayer afterwards.

I knew one thing for sure: speaking on confession would either set the stage for a mighty work of God or be the backdrop for the most awkward moment of my speaking career.

After all, confession doesn’t usually make Christians’ top 10 list of “favorite spiritual habits.”

I’m convinced, though, that if believers fully understood the life-transforming benefits of confession prayer, it would.

Confession prayer will change you and your relationship with God forever. If this is true (and I believe it is), shouldn’t we know how to do it?

What Is Confession?

In the New Testament, “confess” means to “agree or say the same thing as.”  So, when we say the same thing about any subject as God says about it (our behavior, our sin, or the Lordship of Jesus, for example), that’s confession.

Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;” The point, of course, is that salvation comes to those who confess (agree) that Jesus is Lord, and that His death and resurrection paid the price for our freedom and forgiveness of sin. The “Sinners Prayer” some of us have grown up hearing is really a confession prayer.

In its simplest terms, confession prayer is the acknowledgement of our sin, or the affirmation of God’s truth, or both.

Why Is Confession Important?

1. Confession is God’s mechanism to restore a broken relationship between Him and us.

Confession allows us to experience the forgiveness of God, which was purchased by the death of Christ on the cross.

1 John 1:8-9 explains the significance of confession: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Many people assume confession adds to the weight of guilt; in reality, confession relieves it. Confession to God leads to peace with God and leaves us with the assurance that we are forgiven, cleansed, and free!

2. Confession increases our love for Jesus.

If we forget to confess our sins, we forget why we need a Savior. On the other hand, the more we confess our sins, the more we’ll appreciate the provision of our Savior. The goodness and mercy of God is real; through confession, I come to know it is real for me.

3. Confession is necessary for our spiritual growth.

Without confession, we stay stuck in our same old patterns of sin. Many Christians mistakenly believe that the more mature one is spiritually, the less one will need to confess.

In reality, the opposite is true. The more mature we are in our faith, the more sensitive we become to the Holy Spirit’s nudging regarding sin in our lives. We see sin in areas we’ve never noticed before. And because we can see it, we can address it and grow.

How Do I Confess in Prayer?

The Bible gives us several notable examples of confession prayers. Daniel, Nehemiah, and David’s prayers of confession are recorded in Scripture.

Though the circumstances surrounding their prayers of confession differ, the elements of their prayers are remarkably similar.

Daniel prayed:

 “I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:

‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets.” (Daniel 9:4-6; 9-10)

Nehemiah prayed this prayer of confession:

“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.

I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.” (Nehemiah 1:5-7)

After David’s affair with Bathsheba, he confessed:

“Have mercy on me, O God,according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassionblot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;” (Psalm 51:1-4)

Each of these three biblical prayer confessions include:

A humble, contrite heart
Acknowledgement of specific sin
Affirmation of God’s character
Assurance of forgiveness
These same elements should be part of our confession prayers.

It’s worth noting that these prayers were written down for others to read. David, Nehemiah and Daniel didn’t just feel sorrow over their sin in their hearts and their heads; their private sins became a matter of public record.

Confession brings darkness into the light. We don’t need to tell everyone our sins, but we do need to tell God—and, on occasion, others. Secret sin becomes serial sin.

How Does God Respond When I Confess?

In our justice system, when a guilty party confesses, punishment ensues. Sadly, many believers live like God treats our confessions this way, too. As a result, we neglect confession, at best, and avoid it at worst.

But how does God actually respond when we confess? 

1. God Cleanses Us

“If we confess our sins, he will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

2. God Heals Us

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

3. God Forgives Us

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5)

4. God Has Mercy on Us

“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13-14)

5. God Restores Our Joy and Makes Us Usable

“For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight;

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.” (Psalm 51:3-4; 12-13)

How Can I Integrate Confession into My Prayers?

If confession has never been a part of your prayer life, here’s an easy way to start:

Begin with a blank sheet of paper. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of sin in your life—any thought, any deed, any way you’ve ignored doing what God wanted you to do. As the Spirit brings areas of sin to mind, write them down. Don’t rush this. Allow God to speak to you, about you.
At the bottom of your list, write out the words of 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Thank God for Christ’s death and resurrection, which provided the way for your forgiveness. Thank God that since you have confessed your sin, He has been faithful to cleanse you of your sin.
Tear up the piece of paper with your list of sins. Confess (agree with God) that your sins are forgiven, you are clean before God, and you are free.
As you move forward in your walk with God, practice confession the moment you become aware of any attitude or action that is displeasing to God. Don’t wait. Don’t allow sin to become a barrier in your fellowship with Christ. Our relationship with God is like our human relationships; fellowship is better restored sooner, rather than later.

A Helpful Confession Prayer to Model

If confession prayer is new to you, you might want to pray something like this:

Lord, you are merciful and loving. You are holy and just. You sent your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for my sins. God, I have not listened to your word, or obeyed your commands, and I am sorry. I have______________________________(name your personal, specific sins). But you, Lord, are gracious and compassionate on all you have made—including me.

God, I confess my sins, and I confess the truth of your Word. You said that if I confess my sins, you will cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I come before you with a humble heart, asking for your forgiveness. I repent of my sin. Cleanse me Lord, and I will be clean. Restore to me the joy of my salvation and renew a right spirit in me. I need you, Jesus. And I love you. Thank you for loving me first. Amen.

The words you pray aren’t nearly as important as the heart behind your prayers. Jesus told an eye-opening story about two men who went to the temple to pray. One man went away justified, the other man did not.

What did the man pray who went home clean in God’s sight? An utterly sincere, one-sentence prayer of confession:

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” (Luke 18:13)

As it was then, it is now. The path to God is paved with confession.

Some prayers of confession that you can use in your own prayer time.
​

Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
Amen.

O Holy One, we call to you and name you as eternal, ever-present, and boundless in love. Yet there are times, O God, when we fail to recognize you in the dailyness of our lives. Sometimes shame clenches tightly around our hearts, and we hide our true feelings. Sometimes fear makes us small, and we miss the chance to speak from our strength. Sometimes doubt invades our hopefulness, and we degrade our own wisdom.
Amen

Holy God, in the daily round from sunrise to sunset, remind us again of your holy presence hovering near us and in us. Free us from shame and self-doubt. Help us to see you in the moment-by-moment possibilities to live honestly, to act courageously, and to speak from our wisdom.
Amen

Dear Heavenly Father, we lower our heads before you and we confess that we have too often forgotten that we are yours. Sometimes we carry on our lives as if there was no God and we fall short of being a credible witness to You. For these things we ask your forgiveness and we also ask for your strength. Give us clear minds and open hearts so we may witness to You in our world. Remind us to be who You would have us to be regardless of what we are doing or who we are with. Hold us to You and build our relationship with You and with those You have given us on earth.
Amen
​
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from Your ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Your holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is nothing good in us. O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore those who are penitent; according to Your promises declared unto men in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life; to the glory of His name.
Amen
    
Most merciful God, we confess that 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 you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.
Amen.


Eternal God, in whom we live and move and have our being, whose face is hidden from us by our sins, and whose mercy we forget in the blindness of our hearts: cleanse us from all our offenses, and deliver us from proud thoughts and vain desires, that with reverent and humble hearts we may draw near to you, confessing our faults, confiding in your grace, and finding in you our refuge and strength; through Jesus Christ your Son.
Amen

Almighty Father; we enter your presence confessing the things we try to conceal from you and the things we try to conceal from others. We confess the heartbreak, worry, and sorrow we have caused, that make it difficult for others to forgive us, the times we have made it easy for others to do wrong, the harm we have done that makes it hard for us to forgive ourselves. Lord have mercy and forgive us through Christ. Amen.

Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo. Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear, and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment. Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed; and grant us grace to grow more and more in your likeness and image, through Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
​Amen.

Gracious God, we confess that we have longed too much for the comforts of this world. We have loved the gifts more than the giver. In your mercy, help us to see that all the things we pine for are shadows, but you are substance; that they are quicksands, but you are mountain; that they are shifting, but you are anchor. We plead your forgiveness on the merits of Jesus Christ. Accept his worthiness for our unworthiness, his sinlessness for our transgressions, his fullness for our emptiness, his glory for our shame, his righteousness for our dead works, his death for our life. We pray in Jesus’s name.
Amen.
     
Merciful Lord, we confess that with us there is an abundance of sin, but in you there is the fullness of righteousness and abundance of mercy. We are spiritually poor, but you are rich and in Jesus Christ came to be merciful to the poor. Strengthen our faith and trust in you. We are empty vessels that need to be filled; fill us. We are weak in faith; strengthen us. We are cold in love; warm us, and make our hearts fervent for you that our love may go out to one another and to our neighbors. Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

O my Savior, help me. I am slow to learn, prone to forget, and weak to climb; I am in the foothills when I should be on the heights; I am pained by my graceless heart, my prayerless days, my poverty of love, my sloth in the heavenly race, my sullied conscience, my wasted hours, my unspent opportunities. I am blind while the light shines around me: take the scales from my eyes, grind to dust my heart of unbelief. Make it my highest joy to study you, meditate on you, gaze on you, sit like Mary at your feet, lean like John on your breast, appeal like Peter to your love, count like Paul all things but dung. I believe, help my unbelief. Amen

We confess, our Father, that we do not live up to the family name. We are more ready to resent than to forgive, more ready to manipulate than to serve, more ready to fear than to love, more ready to keep our distance than to welcome, more ready to compete than to help. At the root of this behavior is mistrust. We do not love one another as we
should, because we do not believe that you love us as you do. Forgive us our cold
unbelief. And make more vivid to us the meaning and depth of your love at the cross. Show us what it cost you to give up your Son that we might become your sons and daughters. We ask this in the name of Jesus our righteousness.
Amen.