Minister: God of all mercy and consolation, come to the aid of your people, turningus from our sin to live for you alone.
All: We confess we dishonor you by our words and thoughts and deeds. Depending on our own strength we stumble; proclaiming our own goodness, we sin; glorying in our own righteousness we corrupt everything we touch. Turning our faces from you, we desire the things of this world to satisfy us.
Minister: Merciful Father, hear us now as we make private confession to you...
[Silence for self-examination and personal confession.]
Minister: Almighty and most merciful Father,
All: Have mercy on us. We pray now, that you forgive our many sins, cleanse the darkness from our lives, and turn our faces towards you. Uphold us by your Spirit so that we may live and serve you in the newness of life, to the honor and glory of your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
