Merciful God,
you are the shepherd who searches for the lost sheep,
the woman who searches high and low or the lost coin,
the father who welcomes home the prodigal son,
the landowner who forgives a great debt.

Your Son Jesus welcomed sinners and ate with them,
healed the sick with the words, "Your sins are forgiven,"
and declared that the one without sin
should cast the first stone.

Pour out your Spirit upon us,
that we who have sinned|
might know your mercy
and become ambassadors of reconciliation
and messengers of mercy
to all who have sinned against us
and to all whom we have sinned against.

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Christ.
Amen.