What should we confess in our prayers? Anything that occurs to us. A person might want to use a special type of prayer called an examen of conscience in connection with the prayer of confession. This form of prayer takes us beyond the simple method of just saying whatever comes to mind that we have been exploring. In the examen we actively reflect on our life to see what sins we have committed. The traditional way to do this is by using the Ten Commandments. This should be done in the light of Jesus’ teaching on the commandments in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). For example, the Commandments tell us not to kill, but Jesus interprets this command as meaning we should not even be angry with another person or insult them. By reviewing our lives against the commandments as taught by Jesus, we can have a pretty good idea what to confess.

Another useful tool in doing an examen is Martin Luther’s interpretation of the Ten Commandments in the Small Catechism. Luther gives each of the commandments a positive meaning. That is, while the bare commandments usually forbid something, Luther draws out an obligation to do something. The Seventh Commandment is “You shall not steal.” Luther’s interpretation includes the responsibility to help our neighbors “improve and protect their property and income.” (By the way, the Small Catechism is available in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, pp. 1160-1167. That’s the cranberry-colored book in every pew at Joy.) Reading through it might be a helpful way to prepare for worship.

Read Matthew 5 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally. 

Wayne 

Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5