PRAYER OF CONFESSION from PSALM 32 (a version for today)
A rich and full contentment comes to the person 
from whose life the burden of rebellion against God has been lifted;
whose sin is blotted out completely;
whom the LORD counts as being free from guilt;
and in whose spirit there is no dishonesty.
I kept silent;
I hoped it would all go away;
but my body grew old before its time,
as I struggled with the load I carried.
Day and night, day and night, 
your hand weighed heavy upon me,
and my tongue was hard and cracked,
like a drought-baked paddock.
But then I came to my senses, 
declaring my rebellion, 
and admitting that I could not blot out my sin.
I said, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD",
and then you lifted the crookedness of my sin from me
On the basis of this, let everyone with faith in you
pray to you in their time of distress;
despite the swirling floodwaters of life's troubles,
they shall not be overcome by them.
        When our restlessness drives us to gratify desires and fantasies, 
        Lord have mercy.
        When our restlessness leads us to expediency and rationalism,
        Christ have mercy
        When our restlessness blocks out your still, small voice,
        Lord have mercy
You are a hiding place for me:
protecting me amid my troubles;
surrounding me with shouts of deliverance.
I will give you understanding 
        and I will teach you the path you should follow.
I will give you counsel, with my eye upon you;
you will not be like a horse or a mule,
needing to be under bridle and halter.
 

WORDS OF ASSURANCE 
Many sufferings come to the unfaithful and the faithful,
but to trust in the LORD 
is to experience the embrace of God's lovingkindness.
So, rejoice in the LORD and exult, 
you who have been declared without guilt;
shout with joy all you whose lives are made right.
Hear then Christ's word of grace: "Your sins are forgiven."
Thanks be to God!

Looking for contemporary music and song resources? Try David MacGregor's Together to Celebrate
Or metrical psalms? Try Dale A. Schoening's Sing the Psalms

HYMN SUGGESTIONS FOR LENT 1 - YEAR A
How firm a foundation, you people of God	TIS 578	AHB 491
O love how deep, how broad, how high!	TIS 194	AHB 6
O Master, let me walk with thee	TIS 601	AHB 522
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
All hail the power of Jesus' name	TIS 224	AHB 159
God who stretched the spangled heavens	TIS 163	AHB 112
God whose farm is all creation	TIS 159	AHB 94
O worship the King all-glorious above	TIS 133	AHB 67
Praise to the Holiest in the heights	TIS 141	AHB 79
Psalm 32
How blest are those whose great sin	TIS 20
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds	TIS 223	AHB 158
I greet you, my Redeemer sure	TIS 198	AHB 128
I sing the almighty power of God	TIS 119	AHB 40
Jesus, lover of my soul	TIS 211	AHB 139
Rock of Ages, cleft for me	TIS 222	AHB 157
King of glory, King of peace	TIS 201	AHB 129
You are my hiding place	TIS 754
Romans 5:12-19
And can it be that I should gain an interest	TIS 209	AHB 138
Author of faith, eternal word	TIS 565	AHB 473
By your kingly power, O risen Lord	TIS 386	AHB 306
Father of heaven, whose love profound	TIS 131	AHB 60
How sweet the name of Jesus sounds	TIS 223	AHB 158
O what a gift, what a wonderful gift	TIS 278	AHB 213
Praise to the Holiest in the height	TIS 141	AHB 79
The love of God is greater far	TIS 151
Your coming, Lord, to earth in Bethlehem	TIS 285	SA 98
Matthew 4:1-11
O Jesus I have promised	TIS 595	AHB 514
A mighty fortress is our God	TIS 103	AHB 8
Forty days and forty nights	TIS 591	AHB 506
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us	TIS 580	AHB 492
O love how deep, how broad, how high!	TIS 194	AHB 6
Seek ye first the kingdom of God	TIS 745	SA 75
When he was baptised in Jordan	TIS 252	SA 91