Reading of the Law of
God
Blessed are the merciful, for
they shall receive mercy. Matthew 5.7
Confession of Sin
Our Father, we are not by
nature a merciful people. When others sin, we are all too quick to judge. When
they sin against us, all too often, our thoughts turn to ourselves and how we
have been hurt, and not to the sinner in need of mercy. It is so hard for us to
overlook the faults of others and reach out to them. But as unmerciful as we
are so often toward others, we still expect You to be merciful to us. Forgive
us, Father, for Jesus’ sake and make us like You, a God who is full of mercy. Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
Surely he has borne our
griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and
afflicted. But he was pierced for our
transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement
that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53.4-5