Prayer of Confession, E4B

Call to Confession

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (1 John 1:8) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, God, for we have sinned.
We do not renounce evil
and its power in the world.
Instead, we allow the evils of the world
to inscribe itself on our hearts,
changing us,
disfiguring us,
indoctrinating us by its use of fear
and intimidation.
We have allowed authoritarianism
unchecked rule,
and now, we are paying the price
for our refusal to listen to one another,
to love one another,
and to create space for transformation.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Open our hearts to the authority of Christ,
our teacher,
to the way of love,
to the heartbeat of compassion 
and grace,
that we might truly become the people of God
we have been called to be
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Assurance of God's Grace

God has promised that when we confess our sins, God -- who is faithful and just -- will forgive us our sins and remove them as far as the east is from the west, remembering them no more. 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 day.