Prayer of Confession, P+20A

Call to Confession

we have sinned and done wrong, acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and ordinances. 6 We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. (Daniel 9:5-6) Let us confess the places where we have rebelled against our God and seek God's mercy:

Prayer of Confession

Forgive us, O God!
We observe justice and call it weakness.
Righteousness is not even within our grasp.
Our idols are not golden calves.
We worship power and greed instead.
We have not forgotten, but have chosen
not to remember
the ways in which you have saved us
from ourselves.
You have every right to leave us to our own
destructive ways,
and yet we plead with you
to remember your people
and to intervene!
We are war with one another,
forgetting that we are all children 
of Abraham ...
that we all belong to you.
Lead us not into temptation, Lord!
Deliver us from evil!
Teach us the forbearance of steadfast love.
Teach us the mercy of compassionate justice
and the strength of courage in the face
of hatred and horror.
In the name of all that is holy, we pray.



Assurance of God's Grace

But law came in, so that the trespass might increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so grace might also reign through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:20-21) 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.