This prayer of confession emerges out of the story from 1 Samuel 16:1-13; particularly from God’s statement to Samuel: “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (v. 7).

Prayer of Confession

God of light, forgive us.
We are a people blinded by appearances.
We glance at the surface. We look at the obvious.
We do not want to peer into the depths or worry over complexities.
In your mercy, grant us eyes to look on the heart.

God of truth, forgive us.
We are a people obsessed with appearances.
We want to look good. We want to seem righteous.
In trying to keep up appearances we often ignore the substance of our lives.
In your mercy, reveal and transform our hearts.

Assurance of Pardon

Jesus, the light of the world, sees the heart and reveals the truth. May we walk in the Light, rejoicing in the knowledge that in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven. May the peace of Christ be with you.