The Confession Of Sin

A confession of sin is an act of repentance, motivated by faith and characterized by the expectation of forgiveness.

Protestant traditions have rooted the confession of sin in the experience of Isaiah. When Isaiah saw the Lord seated on the throne (Isa. 6:1–7), his response was "Woe to me! I am ruined!" In the presence of God we see ourselves as sinners, confess our sin, and hear the Word of forgiveness. Thus the purpose of the confession is to rehearse our relationship to God. When the confession of sin fits best in worship is a matter of dispute. Some churches place it in the Entrance, arguing that the best time to confess sin is when we initially come into the presence of God. Others argue that the joyful note of the Entrance should not be marred by a confession. They prefer to place the confession of sin either after the Prayers of the People or in the beginning of the acts of worship at the Table of the Lord. Others argue that because worship is a celebration of the Resurrection there is no need for a confession of sin. During Advent and Lent the confession is often placed in the Entrance because these seasons are penitential in nature. Biblical Examples of the Confession of Sin A Form for Biblical Confession of Sin Leader: Quote the Scripture and end with words such as: "Let us confess our sins in silence" (see below). People: Silence. Leader: Speak the words of forgiveness (see below). Scripture Sentences for the Confession of Sin Jesus said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" and "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Mark 12:29–31) or St. John says: "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." (1 John 1:8–9) or The writer of Hebrews says: "Since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Traditional Examples of the Confession of Sin Traditional Language Version: Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Silence may be kept. Minister and People: Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy 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. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, spare thou those who confess their faults, restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Jesus Christ our Lord; and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer)

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Contemporary Language Version: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Silence may be kept.

Minister and People:

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. (The Book of Common Prayer)

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Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. or Kyrie eleison. Christie eleison. Kyrie eleison. (The Kyrie) or Holy God Holy and Mighty Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us. (The Ancient Trisagion) or Hear the commandments of God to his people: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage. You shall have no other gods but me. Amen. Lord have mercy. You shall not make for yourself any idol. Amen. Lord have mercy. Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy. Amen. Lord have mercy. Honor your father and your mother. Amen. Lord have mercy. You shall not commit murder. Amen. Lord have mercy. You shall not steal. Amen. Lord have mercy. You shall not be a false witness. Amen. Lord have mercy. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor. Amen. Lord have mercy. (The Book of Common Prayer) Contemporary Examples of a Confession of Sin There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Miserable creature that I am! Who is there to deliver me from this body of death? God alone, through Jesus Christ our Lord Thanks be to God! (James G. Kirk, When We Gather [Philadelphia: Geneva Press, 1983], 96-97) or Have mercy on us, O God, Father God Almighty, God most high, God of hosts, Lord of the world, God invisible, God incorruptible, God immortal, God all-merciful, God all-perfect, have mercy on us. God of the earth, God of the fire, God of the fresh waters, God of the great winds, God of the shining stars, God who made the world, God of the many tongues, God of the nations, God of golden goodness, Heavenly Father [Parent] have mercy on us. (Padraig O' Fiannachta, Saltair: Prayers from The Irish Tradition [Blackrock, Ireland: Columba Press, 1988], 62) or Righteous Father [God], We who own more than we use, Proclaim more than we experience, And request more than we need, Come asking Thy forgiveness. We seek Thy salvation—then act like we save ourselves. We beg Thy forgiveness—then repeat our errors. We experience Thy grace—then act defeated. We rely on Thy power—but only in hard times. We have become confused and misguided. Forgive our every defection. Bring us to an unbroken commitment and a steady trust, Through Him who is the way of hope, the truth of God, and the life of love. Now and always. Amen. (E. Lee Phillips, Breaking Silence Before the Lord [Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1986], 68) or Sin chains us; grace frees us. Let us recognize that we are sinners and let us implore our freedom. Lord Jesus, you break the chains of the old slavery (Gal. 5:1) and you want us to walk in the freedom of the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). Free us from sin and have mercy on us. Lord Jesus, you break the bonds of falsehood and you deliver us through your truth (John 8:32). Free us from sin and have mercy on us. Heavy are the chains that we carry. Show us mercy, Almighty God. Break the chains of our old slavery and lead us to eternal life. (Gal. 5:1) (Lucien Deiss, Reflections on His Word: Sunday Prayers, Cycle C [Schiller Park, Ill.: World Library Publications, 1982], 172)