O Eternal Father,
You who were from the beginning,
You who spoke life into the void and filled it with Your glory
I cry out to You now.
You were seen with human eyes,
heard with mortal ears,
touched with trembling hands.
The Word of Life Jesus was made manifest,
and we have beheld Him,
not as an idea, but as flesh and blood,
God with us.
Lord, You did not hide Yourself.
You came close.
You walked among us in grace and truth.
You poured out light into the darkness,
and now that light burns in my heart,
though shadows still rise within me.
God, You are light,
and in You there is no darkness none.
And yet I feel the pull of the shadows,
the lies I’ve told myself,
the pride I’ve cloaked as strength,
the sin I’ve excused as weakness.
But You have said
if I walk in the light as You are in the light,
then I am not alone.
Then I belong.
Then Your Son’s blood cleanses me not in part, but entirely.
So here I am.
I will not pretend.
I will not say I am without sin
because to do so would be to make You a liar.
And I know Your Word is truth.
I confess.
I confess every hidden thought, every careless word, every cold action.
Wash me, Jesus.
Forgive me, not because I deserve it,
but because You are faithful and just.
Cleanse me from all unrighteousness
the guilt I carry, the fear I hide, the shame I bury deep.
I want fellowship with You, my God
and with Your people,
my sisters and brothers in Christ.
Bind us together in the light.
Make our joy complete,
not because of what we’ve done,
but because of who You are.
Thank You, Lord,
that You do not cast away the sinner who returns,
but You embrace, You restore,
You make all things new.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.