Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
Reconciliation of a Penitent
The Scriptures teach that whenever a sinner turns to God in penitence and faith, forgiveness is given (1 John 1.9f). Such reconciliation is central to the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 5.6–11, 2 Cor 5.18–21), and is operative whenever the word of God is proclaimed. The ministry of reconciliation is signified in the gospel sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. It is made visible in and through the care of Christians for each other and for all sinners in obedience to Christ’s call to repentance (Mark 1.14–15; Luke 13.1–5). It is proclaimed in all our forms of public worship, and at the personal level through the priesthood of the Church and its ministers declaring God’s forgiveness. The ministry of individual reconciliation is part of Anglican tradition (see The Book of Common Prayer Visitation to the Sick and the Exhortations in Holy Communion).
Reconciliation not only involves our relationship with God, but also with the fellowship of the faithful, the Church. The priest exercises this ministry on behalf of the whole Christian community by declaring God’s forgiveness, and may, at the request of the penitent, offer guidance, counsel and encouragement.
1The priest welcomes the penitent, saying
The Lord Jesus who came to reconcile sinners welcomes you.
and/or
May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips that you may make a true confession of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2The priest and penitent may say together
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your
loving-kindness:
in your great compassion blot out my offences.
Wash me through and through from my wickedness:
and cleanse me from my sin.
Create in me a clean heart, O God:
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence:
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
Give me the joy of your saving help again:
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
Open my lips, O Lord:
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Psalm 51.1–2, 11–13, 16
3The priest says
Hear the word of the Lord:
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1.8-9
Other suitable verses of Scripture include:
Matthew 11.28; John 3.16; Romans 5.6–8; 8.1–2; 8.38–39;
1 Timothy 1.15; 1 John 2.1–2
4The priest says to the penitent
My brother/sister in Christ, God is steadfast in love and infinite in mercy. Be confident in God’s forgiveness as you confess your sins in penitence and faith.
The penitent makes a confession of sins in his/her own words, or using the following form.
Loving and merciful God,
I confess to you and your Church
that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed
through my own fault;
and especially have I sinned in this way…
For these sins I am truly sorry,
and by your grace firmly intend to amend my life.
I ask your forgiveness,
for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
5The priest may offer guidance, counsel and encouragement.
6The priest may ask
Will you turn again to Christ as your Lord?
I will.
Do you, then, forgive those who have sinned against you?
I forgive them.
7The priest pronounces this Absolution.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice to the Father, and who conferred authority on his Church to forgive sins, absolve you through my ministry by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and restore you in the perfect peace of the Church. Amen.
or this
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has left power to his Church to absolve all sinners
who truly repent and believe in him,
of his great mercy forgive you all your offences:
and by his authority committed to me
I absolve you from all your sins,
in the name of God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
8The priest [and penitent] may say
Most loving God,
we thank you for your pardon and forgiveness.
By the power of your Spirit,
enable us to overcome temptation and evil,
keep us securely in the fellowship of your church,
and as we live daily in your presence,
grant victory, peace, and joy,
through the merits of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
or the priest may say
Most merciful God,
in your great love you have put away the sins
of those who truly repent, and remember them no more.
Renew this your servant by your grace
and with your great love sustain him/her in the unity of the Church,
and strengthen him/her with your Spirit,
through the merits of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
9The priest says
As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are confident to pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
10The priest concludes
Now there is rejoicing in heaven; for you were lost, and are found; you were dead, and are now alive in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Go [abide] in peace. The Lord has put away all your sins, and pray for me, a sinner.
The penitent responds
Thanks be to God.
Notes
1 Sins may be confessed, and reconciliation effected, in any place. Whether this ministry takes place in a church or elsewhere, privacy must be assured. Similarly this ministry may be offered at any time; it is especially appropriate during illness (James 5.14–16), but not restricted to such times. Indeed, it may be part of the regular discipline of the spiritual life.
2 During the words of absolution, the priest may extend a hand, make the sign of the cross, or lay hands on the penitent, as is pastorally appropriate.
3 The penitent’s name may be used at the absolution and/or at any other appropriate point.
4 In some pastoral circumstances, it may be necessary for the priest to lead the penitent step by step through this rite.
5 Canon law makes confidentiality absolute, but this is not recognised in the laws of some Australian States.