Prayer of Confession for Rosh Hashanah & Tashlich

Holy and merciful Creator, we confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communions of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and what we have failed to do.


I have failed to loved God with my whole heart, might, mind, and strength. I have failed to love my neighbor.

I have gone after false gods and worshipped idols; I have failed to trust in God’s sovereignty. I have been prideful, believing the lie that I alone am responsible for and capable of saving myself. I have failed to do all things with an eye single to the glory of God; I have been more concerned about self-preservation than the will and power of God. I have failed to trust in Jesus. I have failed to acknowledge God’s proper and true lordship over my life and our world, putting a variety of false gods on the throne instead.

I have failed to rely on the Atonement, accept the forgiveness that Christ offers, put my whole trust in Christ’s grace, and serve Christ as Lord in union with the church universal.

I have taken the Lord’s name in vain by entering a covenant and failing to follow the teachings and example of Christ in all things, in public and in private. I have failed to forgive others as Christ has forgiven me. I have failed to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places. I have failed to always remember Christ and keep Christ’s commandments.

I have failed to keep the sabbath day holy and make it a delight. I have neglected rest, allowing myself to become so exhausted by the demands of my own life and the pain of the world that I am unable to do anything to relieve it. I have neglected prayer and worship. I have gone to church, but been distracted by homework, family drama, the news, social media, and more.

I have failed to honor my father and mother and other relationships. I have ignored a phone call I could have answered and neglected reaching out. I have failed to be fully present during our conversations, allowing myself to be distracted by lesser things.

I have allowed others to be killed by remaining silent in the face of injustice, oppression, and misinformation. I have not spoken up enough about racial injustice, about the border crisis, about climate change, about inadequate healthcare. I have allowed myself to shrink and be paralyzed by the enormity of the world’s grief. Often, I have closed my eyes in the face of it.

I have been dishonest with my family and friends. I have said I’m fine when I’m not. I have failed to accept compassion and support from people who would be more than willing to offer it, if they only knew what I needed.

I have coveted the property, health, experiences, and bodies of others. I have allowed envy and jealousy to rob my joy. I have been unwise with my money in pursuit of worldly goods.

I have neglected God’s command to love and serve others. I have not given a full tithe with time and money. I have sat at home instead of spending my time serving others.

I have not obeyed the Word of Wisdom. I have not acted in loving and responsible ways towards my body. I have not acted in loving and responsible ways towards my soul, my heart, my mind. I have used harsh words with myself and withheld compassion.

I have not been faithful in reading scripture.

I have neglected temple attendance and family history.

I have allowed fear to rule my life - fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear of vulnerability, fear of being honest, fear of being seen, fear of change, fear of happiness, fear of failure, fear of disappointment.

I have betrayed myself. I have not respected myself. I have remained silent when I should have spoken up for myself.

I have cowered in hopelessness and let it control me.

I have forgotten who I am - who God made me to be and who Christ enables me to be.

I have numbed and avoided the heartbreak and the beauty of my life and this world.

I have failed to accept the freedom and power God gives me to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. I have chosen single-use plastics, when more sustainable alternatives were available. I have purchased products that rely on the exploitation of other people. I have been blind to human suffering and indifferent in the face of injustice and oppression. I have failed to adequately address the racism and prejudice in my own heart.

I have wasted time and numbed my mind on social media. I have commented rashly in anger. I have used harsh words. I have failed to see others’ perspectives. I have commented in self-righteousness, in judgment, in ignorance and error.

I have failed to work for the redemption of the world and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

I have failed to express gratitude for God’s bounty. I have failed to find joy, despite the myriad gifts God has bestowed.


Lord, in your mercy, hear and answer us. Restore us and let your anger depart, for your mercy is great. Accomplish in us the good work of your salvation, that your glory may be established in the world.

For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

Amen. So be it.

"Living Waters," Linda Curley Christiensen (click for source)