Prayer of Confession, L5B

Call to Confession

Very truly, I tell you, servants[a] are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. (John 13:16) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy. 

Prayer of Confession

This is us, God. 
We are the ones who are more worried
about saving our own lives
than laying them down 
for our neighbors.
We are the ones who refuse to wait
for you to guide us out of our messes
and insist instead
on making our own way,
regardless of the cost
to those around us.
We are the ones seeking the approval
of those around us
who disapprove of your call
to humble and self-sacrificing love
in action,
while pretending to be superior
to others
and to you.
Forgive our blatant selfishness, O God.
Forgive our stubborn pride.
Forgive our ignorance.
Work in us anew to remind us
that it was you who made us
and gave us life.
Teach us how to be thoughtful
and kind.
Open our eyes to your glory
that our hearts might be transformed
by your Spirit at work in us.

Assurance of God's Grace

Once you were not a people,
    but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
    but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10) In the name of Jesus Christ, you 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.