Written for UWorship (2024), a resource provided by UKirk Collegiate Ministries Association. Download the whole thing here, including the full worship service in which this prayer is featured. The intro to that section reads: “There’s a lot going on in the world, and in our own backyards. Honoring our lament and grief is important, but we also know that there are glimpses of goodness and hope too. Young adults are figuring out who they are in the midst of all of that, often in new spaces, or learning to inhabit old spaces in new ways. With this service, we hope to offer a place for students to honor the depth and breadth of being a person.”
Call to Confession
One: When we join together in times of confession, we accept God’s invitation to worship with our whole, authentic selves. It’s not about getting bogged down in every single mistake we’ve made, but about naming the ways we might do better together. Acknowledging that we are all works in progress, let’s join together in a prayer of confession.
Prayer of Confession
If using this prayer in a community setting, the words could be read by a leader or in unison. Between sections, invite worshipers to reflect using a breath prayer, repeating the following phrases from Psalm 139 with each deep breath. (Consider saying the first breath’s prompts out loud each time, then leave silence for them to repeat at least 3-4 more times.)
Breathe in: Search me, O God. Breathe out: And know my heart.
God of love,
Too often, we don’t leave room for the complexities of being a person. We let our anger consume us, or rush right past it toward feelings that are more comfortable. Forgive us for the times we favor simplicity over authenticity.
Search me, O God…and know my heart.
Forgive us for the times we have caused harm to ourselves and others with our words, our actions, and our inaction.
Search me, O God…and know my heart.
You see us when we are too overwhelmed to see ourselves. Guide us to recognize your grace in our lives, and to share it as often as we can.
Search me, O God…and know my heart.
Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness
One: Psalm 139 reminds us that God has known us since our beginning. Even as we continue the work of becoming, the work of getting to know ourselves, God already knows us.
All: God already loves us. And that will never change. Alleluia!
Rev. Allison Wehrung 
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