Prayer of Confession, P+14B

Call to Confession

If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless. (James 1:26) Let us confess our sin before God, and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, God.
We are quick to point out the speck
in our neighbor's eye
and slow to remove the log
in our own.
We tithe mint, and dill, and cumin,
and ignore, downplay, and even mock
matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
We clean the outside of cups and plates
which are full to overflowing 
with greed and self-indulgence.
Our worship is meaningless
because we refuse to live out our identity
as children of a loving
and compassionate
God.
We profess your name,
but deny you with our self-righteous behavior.
We do not have the love of God within us.
Have mercy on us, we pray.
Cleanse our hands and purify our hearts, 
so that all we say and do --
every word, every action --
reflects the love you and peace and mercy
in which we have been created
and recreated
every day of our lives.

Assurance of God's Grace

God has promised that when we confess our sin, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins, removing them as far as the east is from the west, and 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 week.