First Sunday in Lent

Today was the first Sunday in the Lent season leading up to Good Friday and Easter Morning. This is a season where we as Christians should focus our attention on our Lord and search ourselves with a renewed humility toward repentence of sins and wordly things that we tend to elevate above God. In all humility here is a prayer of confession and an assurance of pardon for this first Sunday.

Prayer of Confession:
God of mercy, you sent Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost. We confess that we have strayed from you and turned aside from your way. We are misled by pride, for we see ourselves pure when we are stained, and great when we are small. We have failed in love, neglected justice, and ignored your truth. Have mercy, O God, and forgive our sin. Return us to the paths od righteousness through Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Assurance of Pardon:
Hear the good news! The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, that we might be dead to sin, and alive to all that is good. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

(Taken from this Sunday morning liturgy of our church)