Composed by Basil The Great (330-379 A.D.) |
 | "O Lord Almighty, God of hosts and of all flesh, Who dwellest on high and lookest down on things that are lowly, Who searchest our hearts and innermost being, and clearly foreknowest the secrets of men; O unoriginate and everlasting Light, in Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning; Do Thou, O Immortal King, receive our supplications which we, daring because of the multitude of Thy compassions, offer Thee at the present time from defiled lips; and forgive us our sins, in deed, word, and thought, whether committed by us knowingly or in ignorance, and cleanse us from every defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant us to pass through the night of the whole present life with watchful heart and sober thought, ever expecting the coming of the bright and appointed day of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, whereon the Judge of all shall come with glory to reward each according to his deeds. May we not be found fallen and idle, but watching, and upright in activity, ready to accompany Him into the joy and divine palace of His glory, where there is the ceaseless sound of those that keep festival, and the unspeakable delight of those that behold the ineffable beauty of Thy countenance. For Thou art the true Light that enlightenest and sanctifiest all, and all creation doth hymn Thee unto ages of ages. Amen." |
Extemporaneous Prayer vs. Written Prayer
Is one better than the other?
Like many conservative evangelical Christians
I grew up in in a church that strongly encouraged extemporaneous prayer but seemed suspicious of written prayers – or at least, that was my impression. We never used them in public worship services and I certainly don’t recall any encouragement to use written prayers in private. It was as if extemporaneous praying was sincere and devout while written prayers were somehow cold and dead.
But is this true?
I grew up in in a church that strongly encouraged extemporaneous prayer but seemed suspicious of written prayers – or at least, that was my impression. We never used them in public worship services and I certainly don’t recall any encouragement to use written prayers in private. It was as if extemporaneous praying was sincere and devout while written prayers were somehow cold and dead.
But is this true?
Today there remains two distinct camps on this matter. Those only in favor of extemporaneous prayer point to the Sermon on the Mount where the Lord Jesus warned:
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases…"
(Matthew 6:7, ESV)
The implication being that all written prayers, regularly recited amount to little more than “empty phrases” (ESV) or as the KJV more forcefully puts it, “vain repetitions.” And there certainly is danger here, isn’t there? In Greek the phrase in Matthew 6:7 describes prayers that are “tediously stammered.” But when Jesus warned against prayers tediously stammered was He really referring to written prayers? That is to say, when He spoke the words of Matthew 6:7 was He turning aside from the main thrust of His Sermon on the Mount to offer a few pointers about the merits of extemporaneous prayer over against written prayers? It hardly seems likely considering in the very next breath He gave us the most oft recited “written” prayer of all time:
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. "
(Matthew 6:9-13, KJV)
To my mind this at least suggests that both written and extemporaneous prayers are useful for us. Therefore, in recent years I have made personal use of both particularly in my morning devotions. I would encourage you to do the same.
The question arises:
Where can I find some written prayers to pray?
Some written prayers can be found in the Bible (eg. Exodus 33:13, Psalm 51:1-8, Jonah 2:2-9, & Philippians 1:9-11) while other non-inspired prayers are recorded for us in very helpful prayer books like The Valley of Vision (purchase a copy if you don’t already have one). Though these prayers are “written” they need not be seen only as “tedious stammering,” in fact, you are feel free to add extemporaneous elements to them. You can make these prayers your own and rework them to suit your current situation. If you are like me and are keenly aware that you often do not know how to pray as you ought (Romans 8:26) these written prayers can act as very helpful guides. In using them you will not only deepen your understanding of the how-to’s of prayer but you will also add direction and intentionality to your conversations with God.
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases…"
(Matthew 6:7, ESV)
The implication being that all written prayers, regularly recited amount to little more than “empty phrases” (ESV) or as the KJV more forcefully puts it, “vain repetitions.” And there certainly is danger here, isn’t there? In Greek the phrase in Matthew 6:7 describes prayers that are “tediously stammered.” But when Jesus warned against prayers tediously stammered was He really referring to written prayers? That is to say, when He spoke the words of Matthew 6:7 was He turning aside from the main thrust of His Sermon on the Mount to offer a few pointers about the merits of extemporaneous prayer over against written prayers? It hardly seems likely considering in the very next breath He gave us the most oft recited “written” prayer of all time:
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. "
(Matthew 6:9-13, KJV)
To my mind this at least suggests that both written and extemporaneous prayers are useful for us. Therefore, in recent years I have made personal use of both particularly in my morning devotions. I would encourage you to do the same.
The question arises:
Where can I find some written prayers to pray?
Some written prayers can be found in the Bible (eg. Exodus 33:13, Psalm 51:1-8, Jonah 2:2-9, & Philippians 1:9-11) while other non-inspired prayers are recorded for us in very helpful prayer books like The Valley of Vision (purchase a copy if you don’t already have one). Though these prayers are “written” they need not be seen only as “tedious stammering,” in fact, you are feel free to add extemporaneous elements to them. You can make these prayers your own and rework them to suit your current situation. If you are like me and are keenly aware that you often do not know how to pray as you ought (Romans 8:26) these written prayers can act as very helpful guides. In using them you will not only deepen your understanding of the how-to’s of prayer but you will also add direction and intentionality to your conversations with God.
Over the past several month I have been using a modified version of “The Litany” from the Book of Common Prayer. I have recorded it below and would encourage you to use it if it would be helpful to you.
“The Litany”
or General Supplication.
Adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer
O GOD the Father, Creator of heaven and earth - Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world - Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful - Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God - Have mercy upon us.
REMEMBER not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, nor the sins of our youth; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever – Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation – Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness – Good Lord, deliver us.
From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil – Good Lord, deliver us.
From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death – Good Lord, deliver us.
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment – Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation – Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost – Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment – Good Lord, deliver us.
WE sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in the right way – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee so to rule the heart of thy servant, The President of the United States, that he may above all things seek thy honour and glory – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and preserve all Christian Rulers and Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illuminate all ministers, of the Church, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to send forth labourers into thy harvest – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hear meekly thy Word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to uphold, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve all who travel by land, by water, or by air, all women in child-birth, all sick persons, and young children; and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word – w e beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us. O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world; Grant us thy peace. O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world; Have mercy upon us. O Christ, hear us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world - Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful - Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God - Have mercy upon us.
REMEMBER not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers, nor the sins of our youth; neither take thou vengeance of our sins: Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever – Spare us, good Lord.
From all evil and mischief; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; from thy wrath, and from everlasting damnation – Good Lord, deliver us.
From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice, and all uncharitableness – Good Lord, deliver us.
From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil – Good Lord, deliver us.
From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine; from battle and murder, and from sudden death – Good Lord, deliver us.
From all sedition, privy conspiracy, and rebellion; from all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and Commandment – Good Lord, deliver us.
By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and Circumcision; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation – Good Lord, deliver us.
By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost – Good Lord, deliver us.
In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment – Good Lord, deliver us.
WE sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church universal in the right way – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee so to rule the heart of thy servant, The President of the United States, that he may above all things seek thy honour and glory – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and preserve all Christian Rulers and Magistrates, giving them grace to execute justice, and to maintain truth – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illuminate all ministers, of the Church, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living they may set it forth, and show it accordingly – We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to send forth labourers into thy harvest – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us an heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give to all thy people increase of grace to hear meekly thy Word, and to receive it with pure affection, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; and to comfort and help the weak-hearted; and to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to uphold, help, and comfort, all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to preserve all who travel by land, by water, or by air, all women in child-birth, all sick persons, and young children; and to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to defend, and provide for, the fatherless children, and widows, and all who are desolate and oppressed – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to have mercy upon all men – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, so that in due time we may enjoy them – we beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word – w e beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us. O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world; Grant us thy peace. O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world; Have mercy upon us. O Christ, hear us. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
The answer to the above question is very straightforward...
"YES!"
1 Timothy 2:1-7 is a great passage to help us understand the importance of evangelistic prayer. Why not read the 1st installment of a multi-part devotional below to learn more about the need for evangelistic prayer.
"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-7, ESV)
Introduction...
Years before he wrote the above passage to Timothy, Paul was an unbeliever. In fact we are told that Paul was present among those who murdered the first Christian martyr, Stephen. Very likely it was on that occasion that Paul heard his first evangelistic prayer. The blood spattered Stephen, practically with his dying breath began praying, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And I doubt that Paul ever forgot that.
In the above text we read Paul now a converted man and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus, spurring Christians on to what had no doubt become a central part of his own ministry – the great work of evangelistic prayer.
First, he tells us:
In the above text we read Paul now a converted man and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus, spurring Christians on to what had no doubt become a central part of his own ministry – the great work of evangelistic prayer.
First, he tells us:
What it Includes...
Notice, that what Paul is about to say is of great importance.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made…
(1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)
The primary mission and aim of the church concerns the prayerful and open communication of the gospel to men and women, boys and girls. We exist, if you like, as the public relations arm of the Kingdom of Heaven - and that is why Paul says, this is “first” of all (v.1a). Of all the things the church is commissioned to do communicating the good news of Jesus Christ is "first." Because this work is so important we must commit it to prayer - four types of which are referenced by Paul in v.1 and run as follows:
1. Supplications
This word carries with it the idea of “being without something.” To put it another way, evangelistic prayer comes from a sense of need. We call upon God to supply what is lacking and what is lacking – for many in our world, is saving faith.
This reality should spur us on in our supplications... the understanding that my children, my neighbor, my spouse, and my friends are all never-dying souls who will live somewhere in eternity forever, should cause us to to engage in supplications.
2. Prayers
This is a general word for prayer in the bible and it carries with it the idea of worship with reverence. Paul is telling us that part of worshiping God with reverence involves calling on Him to save lost people.
3. Intercessions
This is the idea of getting alongside someone. It is a prayer in which the one praying identifies with those he’s praying for. It is appealing to God based upon the fact that you can Identify with people's need for the gospel. And why can you identify with their need for the gospel? Because you need it yourself.
4. Thanksgivings
This is gratitude to God for the fact that there is a gospel is the first place. Could you imagine if there weren't? But there is! Right here in a world of bad-news there is a God-given message of good-news! Moreover, out of all of the people on planet earth, we - the Church - have been given the privilege and responsibility to bring this good news to bear upon ourselves and to take it to others. Because of this our prayers should be filled with thankfulness and total reliance upon the reality that the gospel is the means through which God answers our evangelistic "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings."
(1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made…
(1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)
The primary mission and aim of the church concerns the prayerful and open communication of the gospel to men and women, boys and girls. We exist, if you like, as the public relations arm of the Kingdom of Heaven - and that is why Paul says, this is “first” of all (v.1a). Of all the things the church is commissioned to do communicating the good news of Jesus Christ is "first." Because this work is so important we must commit it to prayer - four types of which are referenced by Paul in v.1 and run as follows:
1. Supplications
This word carries with it the idea of “being without something.” To put it another way, evangelistic prayer comes from a sense of need. We call upon God to supply what is lacking and what is lacking – for many in our world, is saving faith.
This reality should spur us on in our supplications... the understanding that my children, my neighbor, my spouse, and my friends are all never-dying souls who will live somewhere in eternity forever, should cause us to to engage in supplications.
2. Prayers
This is a general word for prayer in the bible and it carries with it the idea of worship with reverence. Paul is telling us that part of worshiping God with reverence involves calling on Him to save lost people.
3. Intercessions
This is the idea of getting alongside someone. It is a prayer in which the one praying identifies with those he’s praying for. It is appealing to God based upon the fact that you can Identify with people's need for the gospel. And why can you identify with their need for the gospel? Because you need it yourself.
4. Thanksgivings
This is gratitude to God for the fact that there is a gospel is the first place. Could you imagine if there weren't? But there is! Right here in a world of bad-news there is a God-given message of good-news! Moreover, out of all of the people on planet earth, we - the Church - have been given the privilege and responsibility to bring this good news to bear upon ourselves and to take it to others. Because of this our prayers should be filled with thankfulness and total reliance upon the reality that the gospel is the means through which God answers our evangelistic "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings."
(1 Timothy 2:1 ESV)
Let me ask you something....
What is Lord's Day Worship all about?
It seems like such an easy question... but... well... it really isn't easy, is it?
All Souls Church is part of the Reformed Tradition of Christianity. Among other things this means that we understand Lord's Day worship to be a joyful time of covenant renewal between the Triune God of the Bible and His people, the Church.
It is because of this the elements of our worship services tend to include a hand-full of very basic, yet very specific elements – things like, prayer, songs of praise, the pubic reading of scripture, biblical preaching, and the administration of baptism and the Lord's Supper. But in addition to these things there is one other, very important element that you will witness if you visit with us at All Souls Church. What is it? It is a prayer of repentance or, as it is sometimes called, “a corporate confession of sin.”
At All Souls, we understand the corporate confession of sin to be a very important part of every worship service. Let me offer a three reasons why:
What is Lord's Day Worship all about?
It seems like such an easy question... but... well... it really isn't easy, is it?
All Souls Church is part of the Reformed Tradition of Christianity. Among other things this means that we understand Lord's Day worship to be a joyful time of covenant renewal between the Triune God of the Bible and His people, the Church.
It is because of this the elements of our worship services tend to include a hand-full of very basic, yet very specific elements – things like, prayer, songs of praise, the pubic reading of scripture, biblical preaching, and the administration of baptism and the Lord's Supper. But in addition to these things there is one other, very important element that you will witness if you visit with us at All Souls Church. What is it? It is a prayer of repentance or, as it is sometimes called, “a corporate confession of sin.”
At All Souls, we understand the corporate confession of sin to be a very important part of every worship service. Let me offer a three reasons why:
1) IT FOSTERS AUTHENTIC WORSHIP.
When God’s people come together and offer a heartfelt confession of sin their worship and praise becomes much more authentic. Genuine confession humbles us before God. It strikes a blow against self-righteousness. It forces us to fix our eyes on our gracious Lord, who alone can save.... and our response is an outpouring of gratitude.
When God’s people come together and offer a heartfelt confession of sin their worship and praise becomes much more authentic. Genuine confession humbles us before God. It strikes a blow against self-righteousness. It forces us to fix our eyes on our gracious Lord, who alone can save.... and our response is an outpouring of gratitude.
2) IT REMINDS US OF OUR MUTUAL NEED FOR GRACE.
When God’s people come together and offer a heartfelt confession of sin it is a beautiful reminder that all Christians are "Indians in the same canoe” so to speak. Whether a person is the most mature believer in the room to the newest convert in the room, corporate confession is a powerful reminder that we are all on the same level and all equally dependent upon the grace of God. It is His grace, and His grace alone that makes us what we are
When God’s people come together and offer a heartfelt confession of sin it is a beautiful reminder that all Christians are "Indians in the same canoe” so to speak. Whether a person is the most mature believer in the room to the newest convert in the room, corporate confession is a powerful reminder that we are all on the same level and all equally dependent upon the grace of God. It is His grace, and His grace alone that makes us what we are
3) IT ACKNOWLEDGES GOD’S FAITHFULNESS.
When God’s people come together and offer a heartfelt confession of sin it is a powerful declaration of God’s faithfulness to His people. Genuine confession of sin does not in anyway excuse or condone sinful behavior, nor does it downplay the seriousness of sin. It is instead a humbling reminder that God does not treat us as our sins deserve but for Christ’s sake He remembers His covenant of grace and remains faithful to preserve His people – the Church.
When God’s people come together and offer a heartfelt confession of sin it is a powerful declaration of God’s faithfulness to His people. Genuine confession of sin does not in anyway excuse or condone sinful behavior, nor does it downplay the seriousness of sin. It is instead a humbling reminder that God does not treat us as our sins deserve but for Christ’s sake He remembers His covenant of grace and remains faithful to preserve His people – the Church.
In conclusion, we believe that corporate confession is important because corporate confession is a powerful, public reminder that the gospel is true.
No, we don’t confess our sin to dwell on ourselves. Nor do we publicly confess our sin so as to make church-goers feel gloomy and defeated. And again, no, we don’t confess our sins merely as a dead ritualistic element in our stuffy, Sunday morning routine. But here’s why we do confess our sins together – to declare God’s faithfulness to His people and to remind ourselves that our God delights in forgiving the repentant.
We believe that the corporate confession of sin reminds sinners of a very wonderful truth – that if, by grace through faith, I am looking to Christ for my salvation, I can be assured, based upon the sure promise of God’s Word, that my sins are forgiven.
No, we don’t confess our sin to dwell on ourselves. Nor do we publicly confess our sin so as to make church-goers feel gloomy and defeated. And again, no, we don’t confess our sins merely as a dead ritualistic element in our stuffy, Sunday morning routine. But here’s why we do confess our sins together – to declare God’s faithfulness to His people and to remind ourselves that our God delights in forgiving the repentant.
We believe that the corporate confession of sin reminds sinners of a very wonderful truth – that if, by grace through faith, I am looking to Christ for my salvation, I can be assured, based upon the sure promise of God’s Word, that my sins are forgiven.
Rev. R Crabtree
"...a son, a husband, a father of 6, a friend, a Presbyterian
(not the liberal kind), an eccentric, and a minister of the gospel... I am also the Pastor of All Souls Church and a Professor of Religious Studies at OCBC."
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