Prayer of Confession, Easter B

Call to Confession

No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death.  (James 1:13-15) Let us confess the times and places where we have sinned before God and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession

We are your people, God.
We are the ones you called to serve.
We are the ones you trusted with the message.
And we are the ones who have betrayed you ...
who continue to betray you ...
even as we sit at your Table.
We are the ones who put ourselves first,
who accept blood money
as we give you away
to pad our pockets,
to strengthen our positions of power,
to increase our standing among leaders.
We are the ones who met you --
poor and helpless without a proper bed,
running for asylum with your parents,
living with the homeless and hungry ...
the ostracized and the lonely,
imprisoned by authorities who did not appreciate
good trouble,
and closed our eyes to your worth.
Forgive us, O God!
In your mercy, 
redeem us,
though we are far from worthy.
Merciful God,
hear our prayers.

Assurance of God's Grace

Through Christ you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. (1 Peter 1:21) In Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, you are forgiven. Thanks be to God!

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