Chips off the Old, Wicked Block

Gracious and everlasting Father,

You are worthy of all our praise and devotion. The chorus of creation resounds with a single voice, lifting up glad adoration to the One who gives them life and breath.

Yet we confess that we are a dissonance and a disruption to that universal refrain. We are as raging noises intruding on a glorious symphony, for we are sinners and our transgressions are great.

Yet we come to you for cleansing, asking that you might pardon our offenses and remove the blot of sin from our names. Our bloodline is that of Adam, and the wickedness of our ways distinguish us as his children. Like our first parents we have not trusted you and given you our full devotion. We have erred by despising your word and neglecting to put our full confidence in you.

You have told us to discipline and disciple our children. You asked us to speak of truth when we rise up and lie down, while we sit at home and walk along the road. Yet we have failed in this duty. We have used the rod sparingly and indulged their carnality with permissive spirits. Rather than encouraging them in things godly and promoting their interest in Christ, we have so often provoked them to anger or let precious teachable moments pass.

In these and the many other sins we have committed we have not only transgressed you, but we have passed on our impiety and nurtured another generation in devilish ways. God we have had little passion for things good and grand, and now we are held responsible for the sins of our family and friends.

So we cast ourselves at your mercy, asking that you would purge from us this satanic spirit. And we ask that you not let those under our tutelage copy our foolery. We pray that you might purify us from our lukewarm spirits, from our spiritual negligence, and from our forgetfulness in the things of the Lord. Moreover we ask that you might put blinders on our children's eyes that they might not witness these sins and so walk in them. Instead would you send your Spirit forth to bolster within them a zeal for godliness and lead them in righteousness.

We make this petition, God, knowing that Christ is the one and only Savior of men. And it is only though him that we find the consolation that we shall be accepted before you. But now we confess our deep need for his atoning work, and we pray that his merits might be accepted on our behalf. May our sins be forgotten and your mercies be remembered forever and ever. Let our Advocate speak and may his testimony be heard, for he alone is our hope. And all this we pray in his strong and glorious name.