Prayer of Confession, E7C

Call to Confession

The children of God and the children of the devil are revealed in this way: all who do not do what is right are not from God, nor are those who do not love their brothers and sisters. (John 3:10) Children of God, let us repent of our sinful choices and our lack of love, and seek God’s mercy.

Prayer of Confession

God of mercy, forgive us.
You sent your Son to teach us,
and he said, “to you that listen …”
Presumably, that was us …
children of God,
siblings of Christ,
but we didn’t listen.
Loving enemies and doing good to those
who hate us …
who does that?
Turning the other cheek and letting others
take advantage of us …
what are you thinking?
Yet this is exactly what you said to do,
and we said we would follow,
and we have not.
In a sense then, we have become your enemies,
because we did not do what you called us to do,
but you love us still
and you bless us in spite of our errant ways.
We have slapped you in the face …
have taken advantage of your grace …
and still you receive us
with open arms.
Cleanse our hearts, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us,
that we might remember we are your children,
and you are our God …
and behave like it.

Assurance of God’s Grace

But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God.[a] 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. (Romans 5:8-10) 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.