Prayer of Confession, P+24B

Call to Confession

It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to put confidence in mortals.
9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to put confidence in princes. (Psalm 118:8-9)

Let us confess our idolatry and seek God's mercy:

Prayer of Confession

Salvation-Giver, 
grant us salvation,
though we do not deserve it.
We have accepted mere humans as saviors,
welcomed them as our retribution,
worshiped them as if they were you --
mere humans who do not feed the hungry
or lift up the fallen
or protect strangers,
but instead cater to the wealthy,
further other the marginalized
and dehumanize strangers.
Forgive us, we pray!
Speak to our souls, God.
Transform our hearts!
Give us a new perspective.
Remind us what it means to be 
children of God,
to place our trust firmly in you
and in your law of love,
to care for your people as Jesus taught us,
and to lead as Jesus led, 
with kindness and compassion and humility
and genuine concern for fellow humans.


Assurance of God's Grace

But now that you have been freed from sin and enslaved to God, the fruit you have leads to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:22-23) Hear the Good News: 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.