This call to confession originally appeared in the worship service "Good News!—Lent 5: For All."
Call to Confession
Today is the [insert week] Sunday in the season of Lent, a time when Christians have traditionally reflected upon the cross of Christ. They’ve also reflected upon their own lives and repented of their sin. The whole idea of repentance presupposes that we realize we’ve done something wrong. This is something that we are often reluctant to do, especially in our current culture. We live in a time of changing values, a time in which morality is often seen as something subjective. But when we really understand that there is a moral standard to which all human beings are accountable, and that this standard has been given to us by the God who created the whole universe and made us in God’s image, and that this God is completely holy and righteous and perfect and cannot be in relationship with us when we are guilty of violating the standard to which we will be held accountable, it puts the importance of repentance into perspective.
To use myself as an example, I know that I don’t live up even to the standards I have for myself, let alone the standards God has for me! I know that I haven’t always loved the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. And I certainly haven’t always loved my neighbor as myself. If I were to get a letter grade for my performance even on just those two things Jesus used to sum up God’s law, it would be an F. Fail. That’s why Romans 5:8 is so encouraging for me: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God didn’t wait for me to clean up my act before he stepped in to do something about my sin problem. In fact, even before I was born or took my first breath or committed my first act of rebellion against God, he sent Jesus into the world to live the perfect life that I never could have lived and to die a sacrificial death in my place and yours. I invite you now to turn with me to God in a time of silent prayer. Let’s confess our sins to the Lord, after which we will hear some words of grace.
Silent Prayer of Confession
Revised Common Lectionary
Year A: Lent—Third Sunday in Lent
