CONFESSION OF SIN

Almighty and merciful God,
we know that when we offend another, we offend you.
We are aware that we have often allowed the shadow of hate
to cloud our souls, hiding the light from our unseeking eyes.
We have said unpleasant and hurtful things to our brothers and sisters
when they failed to live up to our expectations.
Grant that we might find that spark of love that ever burns within us,
the love that you have shown to us even when we failed you.
Fan the embers of that love until it roars again
in flames of love, peace, and reconciliation.
Forgive us our sin
and help us to forgive those who have sinned against us.
Lead us into new life through your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for the sins of all. Amen.
(MICHAEL J. O'DONNELL, U.S.A., 20TH CENT.)

O Lord God,
the watchers of Zion have called peace, peace,
when there was no peace.
Wherefore have you so long withheld from us
the influence of your Holy Spirit?
Why have you hardened our hearts?
It is because we have honored you with our lips,
when our hearts were far from you.

Return again to us, O Lord God,
and pardon this iniquity of your servants.
Cause your face to shine upon us, and we shall be saved.
O visit us with your salvation.
Raise up sons and daughters from Abraham and Sarah,
and grant that there might come
a mighty shaking of dry bones among us,
and a great ingathering of souls.

Be pleased to grant
that the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ may be built up;
that all nations and kindreds and tongues and peoples
might be brought to the knowledge of the truth,
and we at last meet around your throne,
and join in celebrating your praises. Amen.
(MARIA STEWARD, AFRICAN AMERICAN, U.S.A., 19TH CENT., ALT.)

Almighty and all–loving God,
through your Son Jesus Christ
you have reconciled the world to yourself.
Help us now to be reconciled with one another,
that again we might dwell in the warmth of your love.
Inspire us with your Holy Spirit
to put aside the cloak of pride and put on Christ,
that we might forgive and be forgiven;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (MICHAEL J. O'DONNELL, U.S.A., 20TH CENT.)

We are reluctant, O Author of Love,
to set aside our hurt, our anger, our disappointment.
Heal us with your tender touch,
that we might be cleansed of all unclean thoughts,
all schemes of revenge, all hope of vindictive retribution.
Open our eyes to the power of love,
shown to us in the unselfish sacrifice
of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
(MICHAEL J. O'DONNELL, U.S.A., 20TH CENT.)

O God of Shalom,
we have built up walls to protect ourselves from our enemies,
but these walls also shut us off from receiving your love.
Break down those walls.
Help us to see that the way to your heart
is through the reconciliation of our own hearts with our enemies.
Bless them and us,
that we may come to grow in love for each other and for you;
through Jesus Christ. Amen.
(MICHAEL J. O'DONNELL, U.S.A., 20TH CENT.)

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CONFESSION OF SIN