At Rehydrate 2026, the Rev. Clancy Nixon led us in a Litany of Repentance that set the tone for everything that followed. True renewal doesn’t start with programs or momentum; it starts with repentance. Before we ask God to revive our churches, we must allow Him to search our hearts. It’s important to note that confession isn’t self-condemnation. It’s the doorway to freedom, and the clearing away of what hinders true spiritual growth and refreshment. A litany helps us enter that doorway together, as a community. The repeated petitions slow us down and teach us to speak honestly before God and do so as a community rather than as spectators. We share this litany below in the hopes that it may continue the work begun at Rehydrate, shaping leaders and congregations who long not merely for activity, but for holiness.
A LITANY OF REPENTANCE AND HUMILITY FOR REHYDRATE 2026
INTRODUCTION:
Invocation
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us.
O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
Have mercy upon us.
From making feelings the measure of faith rather than the truth of your word,
After each confession, the people reply, “Good Lord, deliver us.”
From neglecting your call to humility and obedience,
From false prophecies that lead your people astray, and failures to oversee and test prophecies and prophets,
From divisions in your Church caused by differing views of spiritual gifts, and from pride that separates brothers and sisters in Christ,
From neglecting the cross, and minimizing suffering for your sake,
From fear of loss of control in our worship and in our lives, were we to allow the Holy Spirit to have His way;
From fear of our own inadequacies to manage and oversee our people and gatherings if the Holy Spirit were to reign freely among us,
From fear of man – fear of the negative opinions of those who disagree with, or have not experienced, “sign gifts,”
From chasing new teachings, new experiences, and new revelations to the neglect of the common graces of daily spiritual disciplines and sacramental life,
From fear of triggering those who have been hurt in the past by misuse of spiritual gifts, so that we avoid their proper expression,
From fear of developing and stewarding the gifts you give us, like prophecy or healing, lest we be considered “weird;”
From fear of having hard conversations with those who disagree with our views on spiritual gifts and the Spirit-filled life;
From quenching Your Spirit, whatever our reasons,
From prioritizing the gifts of the Spirit over the fruits of the Spirit, to the neglect of holiness of life,
From failing to hold accountable leaders who manipulate others or fail to uphold standards of holiness,
From failing to attend to unity in the local church around spiritual gifts, which can lead to divisiveness and church splits,
From neglecting the recruiting, training, care, and oversight of healing ministers, prophetic ministers, and spiritual entrepreneurs,
From speaking disparaging words of brothers and sisters in Christ who disagree with us on these matters, as if heresy or disobedience is at issue, rather than fear, past wounding, and different views within orthodox theology,
From fear that people we develop in spiritual gifts may move on to other churches or movements where such gifts are more frequently displayed,
From fear of losing credibility when people who experience divine healing through our ministry, later experience relapse,
From fear that if we pray too boldly, we may offend or frighten people away from us.
We invite you to confess your own sins, and the sins of our churches, with regard to charismatic renewal, loudly enough so that the congregation may hear and agree.
[Public Confessions]
After each prayer, the people respond, “We beseech you to hear us, good Lord.”
That it may please you to turn our hearts from self-fulfillment and self-glorification, fixing our eyes on Jesus and following Him all the days of our life.
That it may please you to unite your holy Church in sound teaching, true liberty, and genuine gifts, free from fear and manipulation,
That it may please you to pour out your Holy Spirit [at this Rehydrate conference,] upon our beloved church, the Anglican Church of North America, and upon your church worldwide,
That it may please you to give us divine aid to live into the call you gave us in the Preface of our 2019 Book of Common Prayer to be a 3 streams church – evangelical, catholic, and charismatic,
That it may please you to give us a greater measure of wisdom and discernment to discern the seasons and times in your church and in your world,
That it may please you to raise up the next generation of gifted leaders in your church, including ordinands, intercessors, healing ministers, teachers, and prophets,
That it may please you to give us boldness to live into the fullness of all the spiritual gifts and joy that you intend for us, free from fear of man,
We invite you to pray aloud your hopes and dreams for renewal in our day, loudly enough so that the congregation may hear and agree.
[Public intercessions]
Absolution
Lord Jesus, may it please you to grant us true repentance for these failings; to forgive our negligence and ignorance; and to renew us with your Holy Spirit according to your Word. Amen.