Here is an excerpt taken from Streams of Mercy: Prayers of Confession and Celebration by Barbara R. Duguid and edited by Iain M. Duguid.

Streams


A SHELTER IN THE STORM

Streams of Mercy_star CALL TO CONFESSION: PSALM 46:1–3

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Streams of Mercy_star PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Infinitely wise God,

Your wisdom is unsearchable and infinite; your arm is powerful and mighty; your will is sovereign throughout this universe; your patience and love for fallen sinners like us defy our understanding. Lord, we can do nothing but sin, and each new day demonstrates that we are lovers of darkness, covenant breakers, and full of fear. We have received unfathomable mercy and abundant grace, yet we frequently trample on your beloved Son by cherishing anxious thoughts and living in fear of those around us. Instead of believing that you are a secure refuge in whom we can hide, we imagine a thousand scenarios of pain and loss. Instead of trusting that you are a present help who will defend us, we pursue our own revenge against those who have hurt us. We harbor bitterness toward you in our hearts over our problems, real and imagined, and we punish others in a variety of sinful ways for hurting us: by coldness and silence, by malice and slander, by rehearsing our grievances and nurturing our grudges. O God, forgive us for the overwhelming fear that dwells in our hearts and damages our relationship with you and with others.

Lord Jesus, without your righteousness we would be perpetually undone. We cannot imagine the beauty of your sinless heart when you prayed for the forgiveness of those who were killing you, but we thank you for it. We cannot fathom the depth of your trust in your heavenly Father, even as he turned his face away from you at the cross. Your blood washes us clean, and your obedience covers our endless record of disobedience. Thank you for the deep love and mercy that led you to pity us and to give your own life to save ours.

Holy Spirit, lead us to repentance and save us from despair. Give us grace to see our sin clearly and to come to you renouncing ourselves, hating our sin, and hoping fully in the forgiveness that flows even to us, the chiefs of sinners. Drive the joy of our salvation deep into our hearts, until trusting you feels like the only thing we can do. Give us hearts that seek reconciliation and peace with those who have hurt us, even when doing so is costly and painful to us. Help us to turn away from evil and to repay it with love and kindness; help us to love as we have been loved in Christ. Taking refuge in Jesus’ strong name, we pray: amen.

Streams of Mercy_star ASSURANCE OF PARDON: PSALM 46:4–11

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.


Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Streams of Mercy_star HYMNS

“Abide with Me”

“A Mighty Fortress”