The Lutheran Church of the Covenant

An Examination of Conscience Based on the Faith Practices

Worship
– Is my heart set on God, so that I really love God above all things?
– Am I faithful to God’s commands as a child loves their parent?  
– Do I put my concerns about the things of this world ahead of God? 
– Do I keep Sundays, Festivals (Ascension), Days of Special devotion (Ash Wednesday) and other services of the Church by taking a full part with attention and devotion in the liturgy?  
– Do I come seeking to meet God through the Word and holy Sacrament?  
– Do I join in the prayer and praise of God without holding back?  
– Do I let my own likes and dislikes interfere in my participation during corporate worship?
– Have I worshiped false gods by superstition, elitism, occult practices, arrogance or in other ways?
– Am I an active participant in worship, offering my gifts and talents for the good of all?

Prayer
– Do I pray morning and evening?  
– Do I pray the Lord’ s Prayer thoughtfully?  
– When I pray do I really raise my mind and heart to God?   
– Do I offer God my difficulties, my joys, and my sorrows?  
– Do I turn to God in time of temptation?  
– Do I pray for others’ needs, both immediate friends and those around the world?
– Do I pray for Covenant and my brothers’ and sisters’ needs here?
– Do I always give God thanks?
– Have I prayed for the unity of the Church and the spread of the Gospel?
– Have I prayed for peace and justice and those who wield political power?

Study
– Is my faith in Christ Jesus firm?  
– Am I wholehearted in receiving the Apostolic faith?  
– Have I been careful to grow in my understanding of the Faith, to hear God’s Word in daily Bible reading, to listen to instruction in the Faith?  
– Do I read other books about Christian faith?
– Do I take part in Sunday School and other Bible study opportunities?
– Do I take time to pray the Scriptures, meditating on God’s Word to me?

Serving
– Have I a genuine love for my neighbor?
– Am I involved in some direct ministry to others? (Tutoring, Meals on Wheels, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Sunday School teaching, Hunger Center, etc.)
– Have I done my work as a service to others?  
– Have I been just and honest?
– Have I injured others by deceit, calumny, detraction, rash judgment or violation of a secret?
– Am I conscientious in voting?  
– Do I pay taxes with a clean heart?
– Have I been faithful to my promises and contracts?

Inviting
– Have I always been ready to share my hope in Christ with others?  
– Do I look for opportunities to invite others?  
– Am I strong and fearless in professing my faith in God and the Church?   
– Have I been willing to be known as a Christian in private and public life?  
– Have I tried to overcome estrangement from others and been ready to ask for and offer forgiveness?
– Have I prayed regularly for those who struggle with faith?
– Have I tried to help them find true answers to their questions about God?

Giving
– Do I share my possessions with the less fortunate?
– Do I do my best to help victims of oppression, misfortune and poverty?  
– Do I look down on my neighbor, especially the poor, the sick, the elderly, strangers or people of other races or ethnic groups?
– Do I “seek first the Kingdom of heaven” by giving my offerings off the top and not from what is left over?
– Have I made a commitment to give and prayed for God’s guidance in the amount?
– Have I succumbed to debt for non-essentials?  Have I been unwilling to put off purchasing things I want which I cannot afford?
– Have I made money a false god by putting my trust and hope for security in it?
– In Marriage, have I been faithful in being open and sharing myself completely with my spouse?  
– Have I been chaste?  
– Have I fulfilled family responsibilities: caring for the needs of parents, children and others to the best of my wisdom and ability?
– Do I contribute to the waste of the world’s resources through selfishness?

Encouraging
– Have I wanted others’ good?
– Have I allowed pride, self-centeredness, and my own worries keep me from concern for others?)
– Have I listened to others’ problems, encouraged and prayed with and for them?
– Have I been quick to forgive others and not hold their actions against them?
– Have I tried to share insights about others in a way that builds them up and gives them hope?
– Have I thanked others for the good they do which has benefitted me?

	The above are intended as a starting point for your own reflection.  One might also consider the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and other Bible passages.