Prayer of Confession, P+15A

Call to Confession 

Indeed, the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) Let us stand before God and confess our false intentions:
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Prayer of Confession 

Forgive us, Lord,
for we have failed to lift our songs of praise.
We choose to grumble instead of choosing to rejoice.
We do not praise you at all,
let alone with dancing 
or with instruments.
How can you possibly take pleasure in your people,
O God,
when the "faithful" are less than faithful
about exulting in your glory
or singing for joy from our couches?
Indeed, we are far more eager to take up literal swords,
to execute vengeance
per our self-righteous indignation.
Forgive us, we pray. 
Shift our focus from condemnation to celebration,
from harassment to hope,
from judgment to joy.
Teach us what it means to learn humility from you.
Teach us the power of thankful praise
rightly focused on you
to topple those who claim and abuse earthly authority
you have not ordained.
Free our tongues and our bodies
to unabashed expression of gratitude
for your infinite grace.
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Assurance of God's Grace

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2) Hear the Good News: In 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.