Here’s a prayer of confession and words of assurance suitable for use on Reformation Sunday (October 30, 2011). It was written by Bill Wessner.
Prayer of Confession
Let us put aside our good works
and remember that we do sin and fall short of the glory of God.
(silence is a good way to end a public boast
confession is a good way to end a private boast)
Lord of all,
the demands of your righteousness
are too hard for us to fulfill alone,
so we rush off with this excuse
and ignore your law.
You forgive our iniquity and remember our sin no more,
and we abuse this freedom
as if it were a license to selfishness,
self-indulgence and self-righteousness.
You give us the gift of grace: atonement in the blood your Son,
yet we make it cheap without serious repentance.
We fail to see the power of your faithfulness.
We are your people, but do we know you as our God?
Forgive us Lord, the sins we know in our heart.
Save us Lord from the sins we hide.
(pause for reflection and self-examination)
God of our refuge and strength...
have mercy on us, write on our hearts. Amen
God does show us God’s own righteousness,
and divine forbearance.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit given to us,
we may come to know the truth and be made free.
Jesus Christ the Son of God sets us free from our slavery to sin.
Our sins are forgiven.
Through his death and resurrection
a place is made for us in the household,
and we may be know as children of God.
To the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
— written by Bill Wessner, and posted on his Confession RCL website.
For more resources for Reformation Sunday (October 30, 2011) , click on Reformation Day in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
