We Play at Being Faithful

Origin of all righteousness, confronted by you we confess our unworthiness, even our sin. It is a terrible thing to be so found by you. We want you to like us, and so we try to hide who we are. We play at being faithful. Alas, such play only becomes an occasion for more sin. Yet you forgive us in a way that does not destroy. You make us your own and in the process free us from our enjoyment of our sin. It is good to be forgiven by you.

The Presumptuous Confession of Sin

Gracious God, forgive us our presumptions to confess our sin. Only your favour makes it possible for us to know and acknowledge our sins. But that same grace heals as it wounds, and for that we are grateful. Lead us beyond fascination with our sin into the wonder of friendship with you and one another.

—Stanley Hauerwas, Prayers Plainly Spoken (Downer's Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1999)