A prayer of confession and an Assurance of forgiveness

Lord, your light has flooded the world;
but we have turned away, preferring darkness.
Lord, you have lifted up your Son that we might be forgiven;
but we have turned away, preferring to remain in our sins.
Lord, you have offered us eternal life;
but we have turned away, preferring the pleasures of earthly life.

Forgive us, O Lord, as we bow our heads before you.
We do not turn away any longer.
We lift our faces to seek your light.
We lift our eyes to see your Son.
We lift our hearts to live in you, and for you, for ever.
Amen.

Assurance of forgiveness

God raised the serpent in the desert so that the children of Israel might be healed; those who chose to look upon it lived.
God lifted up his Son upon a cross, so that all might be saved and have eternal life; those who choose to believe in him are forgiven their sins, and will know the joys of heaven.

O God, every day you offer us choices; ours is the decision between good and evil, the path of righteousness or the road to destruction.
Thank you for showing us the good and true way through your Son.
Thank you for forgiving us and guiding our feet back even when we turn the wrong way.
Thank you for your eternal love.
Amen.