When the psalmist realizes that the pangs of body and soul are not God’s wrath but the stings of death draining life within, the psalmist can finally open up and say, “I acknowledge my sin to You…” (Ps. 32:3-5).
To “acknowledge” sin, is to accept that the stings of death we feel are often—though not exclusively—of our making. We are contributors to death—big and small—and it is admitting the truth of our contribution to “You,” our heavenly Father that we experience the truth of existence, “I acknowledge my sin to You…and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” (Ps. 3:5). So, let us live openly in the truth together.
We’ll once again pray a portion of the “Litany of Penitence,” with the intention of getting specific. Let yourself dwell long enough in the “general” confession (emboldened) until there are specifics for you to acknowledge before our gracious Father. Then, pray the remainder of the prayer as one whose openness is met with that which leads to life full and forever through Jesus (Ps. 32:1-2).
Most holy and merciful Father:
We confess to you and with one another,
that we have sinned.
We turn to you, Father, and away from the wrongs we have done: acknowledging our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
We hold fast to you, always-present Father.
Acknowledging false judgments, uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and prejudice and contempt toward those who are different from us,
We turn to you, ever-chasing Father.
Acknowledging our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
We hold fast to you, never-changing Father.
Restore us, good Father,
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.
Bring to maturity the fruit of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son our King and Friend,
Bring us with all your saints into the complete joy of Jesus’ resurrection.Amen.