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 Confession
Lent 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" a setting of Psalm 51. For thoughtful fodder on the place of confession in worship see the article by the same author, "Genuine Sorrow...Wholehearted Joy: The Why, When, and How of Confession
LENT II
Scripture
Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17-4:1
Luke 13:31-35
Call to Confession (Isaiah 54:7-8)
For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you, says the Lord. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord your Redeemer.
Let us confess our sins to Almighty God.
Prayer of Confession
God, 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.
God of mercy,
whose son Jesus Christ longs to gather us
in the wide embrace of his love:
we confess that we have been wayward children.
We have disobeyed your commands;
our ears have been deaf to your call;
our hearts have been cold to your love.
In thought, in word, and in deed
we have hurt others and dishonored your name.
In your great mercy receive us yet again as your well-beloved children, not because we are worthy but for the sake of him who loved us and gave himself for us.
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 thy Spirit dwell in me;
thy salvations joy impart; steadfast make my willing heart.
Assurance of Pardon (Isaiah 49:15,66:13)
Can a woman forget her nursing child,
or show no compassion on the child of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.
As a mother comforts her child,
so will I comfort you, [says the Lord.]
Receive the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
