Reconciliation

This article is part of a series that contains the following article and resources: Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of ConfessionLent 1 | Lent 2 | Lent 3 | Lent 4 | Lent 5 | Palm/Passion Sunday|This service of confession is part of a series for the season of Lent based on the texts of the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C, but can be used for non-lectionary services as well. Each prayer begins and concludes with a stanza from "God, Be Merciful to Me" Unknown a setting of Psalm 51. (See text in italics.) For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy—Confession: The Why, When, and How of Confession". LENT IVScriptureJoshua 5:9-12 Psalm 322 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32Call to Confession (1 John 1:8-9)If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Let us confess our sins to Almighty God.Prayer of ConfessionGod, be merciful to me; on thy grace I rest my plea.Plenteous in compassion thou, blot out my transgressions now;my transgressions I confess; grief and guilt my soul oppress;I have sinned against thy grace, and provoked thee to thy face.Almighty God, in Jesus Christ you love us, but we have not loved you. You have opened your heart to us, and in our pride we have spurned your care. You have given us all things, and we have squandered your gifts. We have grieved you and caused hurt to others, and we are not worthy to be called your children. Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we are ashamed and sorry for all we have done to displease you. Cleanse us from our sin, and receive us once again into your household, that we might never more stray from your love but always remain within the sound of your voice.Gracious God, my heart renew, make my spirit right and true;from my sins O hide thy face, blot them out in boundless grace.Cast me not away from thee; let my Spirit dwell in me;thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heartAssurance of Pardon (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the old life has passed away; everything has become new! All this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.Receive the good news of the gospel: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.

This prayer originally appeared in the worship service "Good News!—Lent 3: The Temple is Rebuilt!"Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Work of ChristHoly God and heavenly Father, we give you thanks that you sent Jesus into the world to be the gate that links heaven and earth. We thank you that, through the temple of his body that was broken and the blood that was poured out for many, he reconciled us to you. We thank you that we don’t have to go to a particular place or building to have our sins forgiven, but that we have the opportunity as Christians to gather and together be the body of Christ in this world. We pray that you will fill our hearts with gratitude for all that is ours in Christ Jesus and that we would bear fruit by your Holy Spirit. Give us courage and opportunities to share with excitement the good news of the gospel to those who need to hear it so they would experience with us the joy of salvation. We pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.