Psalm 147:2-3
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
Confession:
Almighty God,
You are the builder of Your church. Unless you build the house, our labors are in vain. We trust in Your sovereign goodness to uplift Your body by your grace. We, the hands and feet of this glorious body long to be in Your presence, yet we are weak. We have sinned against you, not only outwardly, but much more with inward blindness, unbelief, doubts, impatience, pride, covetousness, envy, hatred, malice, and other sinful affections, as you, my Lord and God, know well. Lord, we have gone after other gods, as we have sought money more than you, as we have sought worldly wisdom more than your Holy Word, we have sought arrogance rather than humility. Lord, accept now our private confessions as we pray.
Silence.
Thanksgiving:
Our Gracious Lord,
You have opened Your arms to us, as the Father of the prodigal opened His arms to receive His own. Now, you feed us as a great host. Our sins are forgiven through the death of your Son. Grant us never to lose sight of sin, the exceeding sinfulness of sin, the exceeding righteousness of salvation, the exceeding glory of Christ, the exceeding beauty of holiness, and the exceeding wonder of grace.
Pastor: This is our prayer, O Lord. People: Amen.
