Prayer of Confession, P+17B

Call to Confession

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    O Lord, you know it completely.
(Psalm 139:1-4) Let us confess our sin before God and seek God's mercy.

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, God.
We want to be first.
We argue among ourselves
about whose way is best,
whose theology is right,
as if our “right theology”
means we sit
at the right hand
of Jesus.
Instead of welcoming those
who practice the faith
differently that we do,
instead of meeting them
where they are
on the journey
and learning from them,
we make judgments
and proclaim ourselves
greater.
Forgive us for our inhospitality,
we pray.
Teach us to welcome
all God’s children,
and to serve
as Jesus did,
with kindness
and humility
and genuine relationship.
May all we are
and all we do
reflect your infinite
love.
Assurance of God's Grace

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (John 3:16-17) 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.