This confession and assurance originally appeared in "In the Beginning was the Word—Advent 3: The Word in the World."
Prayer of Confession
The words of your prophet Isaiah, spoken so long ago, come back to accuse us yet today, O Lord.
Our iniquities separate us from you.
Our sins have caused you to hide your face from us.
Our hands are stained, our fingers covered with guilt.
Our lips have spoken lies and our tongues muttered wicked things.
Our thoughts are evil, our roads are crooked, and we do not walk in peace.
We do not call for justice or plead for integrity.
O Lord, forgive us, do not hide your face from us any longer. Hear our pleas for mercy. Redeem us by your grace and mercy. Amen.
—Based on Isaiah 59:2–8, 20
Words of Assurance
With everlasting love I will have compassion on you,
says the Lord, your Redeemer.
I alone am the one
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
—Isaiah 54:8; 43:25; 44:22 NRSVUE
Revised Common Lectionary
Year B: Epiphany—Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
