BE STILL and KNOW Prayers of Confession from Genesis
DOUBT
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the women, ‘Did God really say…?’” Genesis 3:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for…And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:1-2, 6
Father, bring to my mind the ways I have doubted you, and forgive me for the times I have questioned your character and goodness. Forgive me for twisting your Word to mean something other than what you intended, and for not believing your promises. Help me reject the crafty whispers of doubt the enemy brings to my mind, and listen only to the voice of my Good Shepherd.
DISTRACTION
“Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.” Genesis 13:12
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16
Father, forgive me for being distracted by and drawn to the things of this world. I desire to live in the center of your will and to walk in your ways in the land of your promises. Help me cast down cravings, lusts, and boasting that has its roots in the world system, and seek to live for your love alone. Let me not “pitch my tent” in the world, but rather tabernacle with you in the secret place of worship and prayer.
FEAR
“As he (Abraham) was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, ‘I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ Then they will kill me but will let you live. Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” Genesis 12:11-13
‘There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear…” 1 John 4:18
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Father, forgive me for succumbing to fear and not trusting in your protection over my life. Forgive me for compromising myself and others around me out of fear. Replace fear of man with wholehearted love and reverence for you that comes from understanding your perfect heart of love for me. May I walk in humble trust before you, with faith that overcomes my fears of anything that might happen to me or of what anyone in this world might do to me. In Jesus’ name I pray…Amen.
Ingrid Nieto-Pagulayan 