Prayer of Confession, 2nd Sunday after Epiphany, Year B

Call to Confession

Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. (John 10:1) Let us confess our sin and plead for the mercy of the Lord our God.

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, God, for we have chosen 
not to follow where you lead
but to go our own way instead.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Forgive us, God, for we have rejected
the parts of scripture that challenge us
and held fast to the ones that reinforce our positions.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Forgive us, God, for we have ignored
the rule of love
for the manifestation of the common good.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers.

Forgive us, God, and open our eyes
to the ways in which we fail to be
the people you have called us to be.
Open our hearts to your message of love,
and our minds to your wisdom and truth,
that our discipleship will reflect
the One we call Master, Savior, and Lord.

Assurance of God's Grace

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:7) In the name of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd and Lamb of God, we are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, let us also forgive one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
Please extend the peace of Christ to all whom you encounter this day.