Here’s an act of confession inspired by John 20:19-31. It was written by Thom Shuman.
Call to Reconciliation
When we keep our faults and failures locked safely away,
When we keep our faults and failures locked safely away,
we have no need to confess.
But God comes into our hearts when we least expect,
so we can be filled with forgiveness, with hope, with peace.
so we can be filled with forgiveness, with hope, with peace.
Please join me as we pray, saying,
God of empty tombs and empty people:
when we hesitate to speak of your hope,
forgive us, and give us voice.
When we find it difficult to love another,
forgive us, and give us new compassion.
When we want to stand with the high and mighty,
forgive us, and put us next to the poor and oppressed.
When we stay locked behind our fears and doubts,
forgive us, and send us out to share your grace.
When we cannot believe your Word of new life,
forgive us, and fill us with your joy.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
Christ comes into every shadowed corner of our lives
God of empty tombs and empty people:
when we hesitate to speak of your hope,
forgive us, and give us voice.
When we find it difficult to love another,
forgive us, and give us new compassion.
When we want to stand with the high and mighty,
forgive us, and put us next to the poor and oppressed.
When we stay locked behind our fears and doubts,
forgive us, and send us out to share your grace.
When we cannot believe your Word of new life,
forgive us, and fill us with your joy.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
Christ comes into every shadowed corner of our lives
with the light of Easter.
Christ comes into the locked rooms of our faults,
and gifts us with grace and hope.
Christ comes, to fill us with peace,
that we may proclaim the good news of mercy
and forgiveness.
Thanks be to God.
that we may proclaim the good news of mercy
and forgiveness.
Thanks be to God.
Christ has come to us. Amen.
~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
