Confession: We have done wrong

Here’s a prayer of confession from the Book of Common Worship.

Prayer of Confession

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death,
between blessings and curses….
Oh, that you would choose life,
that you and your descendants might live!”  Deuteronomy 30:19

Eternal God, our judge and redeemer,
we confess that we have tried to hide from you,
for we have done wrong.
We have lived for ourselves
and apart from you.
We have turned from our neighbors
and refused to bear the burdens of others.
We have ignored the pain of the world
and passed by the hungry, the poor, and the oppressed.

In your great mercy, forgive our sins
and free us from selfishness,
that we may choose your will
and obey your commandments;
through Jesus Christ our Savior.

~ Book of Common Worship, p. 54. Copyright © 1993, Westminster/John Knox Press