Prayer of Confession, E+2C

Call to Confession

let the wicked forsake their way
    and the unrighteous their thoughts;
let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.  (Isaiah 55:7-9)

Let us forsake our wickedness and return to the Lord, seeking the Lord's mercy:

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, God.
Our love does not reflect your love:
steadfast and faithful,
offering refuge to all.
Our love has limits
and conditions,
making it something less than love,
something cheaper,
something more self-centered.
We feast on the abundance of your house:
on grace and hope and life.
But we do not share the wealth 
we have inherited
as children of God,
co-heirs with Christ. 
Instead, we build walls,
and make rules,
and put barbed wire in rivers,
just to be clear,
that only those we declare chosen 
may partake.
Forgive us, we pray.
We would not tolerate this behavior
from our enemy,
yet we celebrate it in ourselves.
How have we become the antithesis
of the one we claim to follow? 
Hear our prayers for mercy, O God!
Transform our hearts
and renew a right spirit within us
that your steadfast love may be seen in us,
in all we say and do
every waking minute 
of every single day.

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) Hear the Good News: In the name of 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 week.