Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Grace

Here is the prayer we used in worship last Sunday:

A Prayer of Confession*

We confess that in our lives we do not always choose the way of peace.

We spread gossip which fans the flames of hatred.

We are ready to make any sacrifice when the world demands, but few when God invites.

We worship the false god of security.

We hold out one hand in friendship, but keep a weapon in the other behind our back.

We have divided your body of people into those we trust and those we do not.

Huge problems challenge us in the world, but our greed, fear and selfishness prevent us from uniting to solve them.

Lord, we need your help and forgiveness, your reconciling power. Amen.

*By Reverend Patricia Vowles, in Wendy S. Robins, ed., Let All the World, London: USPG, 1990, p.27.

Assurance of Grace

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans 5:11)

Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)