Hasten, O God, to save me

Leader: Hasten, O God, to save me;
People: come quickly, Lord, to help me. Psalm 70:1
Leader: may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
People: may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!” Psalm 70:4
Leader: As we examine our hearts, we must confess with Abraham and Sara and all generations to follow, that we have ignored God’s call, doubted His faithfulness, and chosen our own plans instead of His promises. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,
People: so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Silence for reflection on the Word of God and for self-examination.
Leader: Almighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, 
People: we confess that we are by nature sinful. We have failed to love You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. Instead of trusting in Your promises, we have let fear, doubt, and pride direct our steps. For the sake of Jesus, forgive us. By the power of Your Holy Spirit cleanse our hearts and minds that we might walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Leader: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13  The Good News is that God, through His Son, has made us His friends and has chosen us for His purposes, so that forgiven and restored, we might bear fruit for His kingdom. Jesus Christ paid for our sins with his innocent suffering and death. By His death He destroyed death, and by His rising opened eternal life to all who trust in Him for forgiveness. May God strengthen you in your Lenten journey toward the joys of Easter.
People: Amen.