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 III
Scripture
Isaiah 55:1-9
Psalm 63:1-8
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Luke 13:1-9
Call to Confession (Isaiah 55:6-7)
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Trusting ourselves to the grace of God, let us confess our sin before God and one another.
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.
Everlasting God, fountain of all life and the true home of every heart: our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Yet we confess that our hearts have been enslaved by selfish passion and base desire. We have sought after many things and have neglected the one thing needful. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. Loving God, who alone can fill our deepest longings and quiet our restless hearts, help us to turn to you and find forgiveness. Lead us home that we may again find in you our life and joy and peace.
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 (Matthew 11:28-30)
Jesus said: Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Receive the good news of the gospel:
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
