Lord,

the great and awesome God,

who keeps all of the promises he has made to those who love him and obey him.

We have sinned.

We have rebelled

and we have not listened to you as you speak to us through your word.

Lord, you are righteous

and this day we are ashamed.

Ashamed of our sin.

You forgive us even when we rebel and refuse to obey.

We have sinned

and we pay the painful consequences of those choices.

But we still don’t turn to you….we don’t listen to your truth.

We don’t follow your guidance.

We don’t obey.

You, our Lord, have shown your faithfulness from generation to generation.

We have not been faithful.

We have made wrong choices over and over and over.

Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servants.

We ask that you forgive us and look upon us with your favor.

We are not asking this because we deserve it – we don’t.

We ask because we know you are a merciful God.

We know you are listening.

And you have promised that you have already forgiven us through the power of Jesus’ death on the cross.

Thank you, Abba Father.