Preparation for Worship: Confession

First Baptist Arlington

How can we personally prepare for worship in a way that allows the Holy Spirit to have full reign and control over us as individual worshipers and as a congregation of believers?  Our journey towards worship begins with sincere confession, acknowledging the holiness of God, and recognizing how sin hinders our interaction with Him.   Acts 3:19 urges us: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”  Confession and repentance open the door for restoration, forgiveness, and refreshment from the Spirit of God.

Approach

As we approach the presence of God, we find ourselves echoing the sentiments of Isaiah, humbled by His majesty and convicted of our own unworthiness:  “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5)

Still trying to figure out how to begin?  We can draw from the words of scripture to help us articulate our time of confession.  We can use the words of David as our own:  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”  (Psalm 51:1-4)

We can follow these words with our heartfelt words of confession, asking the Holy Spirit to bring to mind ways that we have fallen short in our words, thoughts, and actions.

As a result, we can be confident that when we confess and repent, God will forgive and cleanse us!

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(1 John 1:9)

Assured by this promise, as we trust in God’s faithfulness to forgive and cleanse us, we are positioned to receive God’s Word and offer authentic worship in His presence.

What is our commitment?

Let us commit to regularly engaging in confession and repentance as an integral part of our worship preparation, acknowledging our dependence on God’s mercy and grace.  In doing so, we open ourselves to encounter the boundless love and mercy of our Savior, who welcomes us with open arms into His presence.

Aaron Tomes

Aaron Tomes

Aaron is the Minister of Classic Worship at First Baptist Church Arlington. Aaron is married to Alison Walker Tomes. They have six children: Joshua (married to Rebecca), William Aaron (married to Tara), Adam, Grace, Joy (married to Jeremy) and Josiah.

Recent Posts

Attitude of Gratitude

By Preschool Ministry | November 10, 2022
Attitude of Gratitude

How do you help your child develop an attitude of gratitude? In our world today, I feel like that is getting harder and harder to do. A recent…

Cast Your Anxieties on the Lord

By Tara Tomes | November 10, 2022
Cast Your Anxiety on Him

I grew up in a broken household. Not only did my parents’ divorce happen when I was only 5, but they made it very evident to my sister…

Serve Others

By First Baptist | November 7, 2022
Serve Others

I lived in a two stop light town in Tennessee.  Actually, I lived 15 miles outside of the two stop light town on a farm of 165 acres…

Lessons From the Pit

By Tanner Watson | November 7, 2022
Lessons From the Pit

What does BBQ have to do with Jesus? Howdy!  If you know me, you know that I love BBQ.  I am a FIRM believer that Texas easily has…