Prayer of Confession, C1A

Call to Confession

(Our) feet run to evil, and (we) are swift to shed innocent blood; (our) thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in (our) highways. (Isaiah 59:7, paraphrased) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession

God, forgive us:
we are an angry people,
jealous of your favor
and greedy with our blessings.
We do not want to share power, Lord.
We do not want to acknowledge your presence
in the other living among us.
Instead, we seek to to undermine,
to threaten,
and to destroy.
What is it within us
that elicits such hatred?
When did our hearts
turn to stone?
When
did we become
the evil we claim
to deplore?
Forgive us, we pray.
Cleanse us from
sin, and stir in us
a spirit of openness
and of love.
Teach us the wisdom of the magi,
that we might discern the ways
in which you call us to be
protectors of the innocent
all over the world.

Assurance of God's Grace

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17) By the grace of God made known in Jesus Christ, 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~