Prayer of Confession: Scapegoating and Blame

Almighty and merciful God,
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
We confess that we have often sought peace through blame rather than love through understanding.

When conflict has arisen among us,
We have looked for others to accuse.
When fear has troubled our communities,
We have searched for someone to carry the burden of our anxiety.
We have hidden our own faults while exposing the faults of others,
And have participated in the ancient habit of casting stones.

Forgive us, O Lord, and reveal the truth of our hearts.
By the light of the crucified Christ,
Who exposed the violence of the crowd and answered it with forgiveness,
Deliver us from the need to justify ourselves through the condemnation of others.

Create in us clean hearts, O God,
And renew within us the spirit of peace.

Amen.