Here’s an act of confession for Epiphany. It was written by Bruce Prewer.
Confession
The coming of Christ was not, and is not, widely welcomed.
Wherever there is epiphany there will also be darkness:
the darkness of old superstitions and dogmas which refuse to fade away easily;
the darkness of pride in the half truths that have masqueraded as wisdom;
the darkness of entrenched evil that hates the light and tries to dispose of it;
the darkness of apathy that cannot be bothered to open the shutters;
Let us make our confession together,
Most holy and most loving God, we admit to you and to each other,
that we are creatures who either through foolishness or wilfulness
often choose darkness instead of light.
Here and now we surrender to you our fears and proud opinions,
our short-sighted folly and our pompous wisdom,
our deep seated sins and our apathy towards change and renewal.
Please forgive the darkness and pain we have inflicted on others,
and restore the light-starved hopes and ideals within our own souls.
Trusting your grace, we earnestly pray: “Create in us a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within us.”
Through Christ Jesus our Saviour. Amen!
Forgiveness
My friends, Epiphany is good news!
The Light comes not to sear and blind us but to save us.
Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners.
In his name I declare to you: Yours sins are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!
Take up your forgiveness with thanksgiving,
and live without shame or anxiety.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ enables us. Amen!
— Bruce Prewer, on Bruce Prewer’s Homepage. Visit that site for many other excellent resources for worship.
